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<       HIPPOCRATES, 

VROAl  THE  LATIN  VERSION  OF  VERHOOFB^ 

WITH    A 

J.lTfiRAL  TRANSLATION  ON  THE  OPPOSITE  PAGE. 

AND 

EXPLANATORYNOTES, 


X 


(^i  revera  vult  proficercj  Hlppocratem  sibi  exemplo  proponet. 

Plutarch. 


TME    WORK  INTENDED   AS   J  BOOK  OF  REFERENCE 
TO  THE  MEDICAL  STUDENT. 

BY  ELIAS  MARKS,  M.  D. 

Mejnber  of  tLe^Pl^^sico.IVfeajcal  Sociel;- .      'j'    '::'hk. 


PKINTBD  AND  SOLD  BY  COLLINS  &  CO,'  NO,  189,  P£A»I 

STREET. 

iaif. 


BOS 


fr:  I'f.  f- 


OLLEG] 


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DISTRICT  OF  NEW- YORK,  ss. 

BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  That  on  the  twenty-fourth  day  of 
December,  in  the  forty- second  year  of  the  Independence  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  Collins  b'  Co.  of  the  said  district,  have 
deposited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof  they 
claim  as  proprietors,  in  the  words  and  figures  following,  to  wit : 

"  The  Aphorisms  of  Hippocrates,  from  the  Latin  version  of 
Vcrhoofd,  with  a  literal  translation  on  the  opposite  page,  and  ex- 
planatory notes. 

*•  Qui  rcvera  vuk  proficere,  Hippocratem  sibi  exemplo  proponet. 

^;    Plutarch. 

"  The  work  intended  as  a  book  of  reference  to  the  medical  stu- 
dent. By  Elias  Marks,  M.  D.  Member  of  the  Physico-Medical 
Society  of  New- York." 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
entitled  "  An  act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning  by  securing  the 
copies  of  maps,  charts  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of 
such  copies,  during  the  time  therein  mentioned,"  and  also  an  act, 
entitled  "An  act,  supplementary  to  an  act,  entitled  an  act  for  the 
encouragement  of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  maps,  charts 
and  books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  r,uch  copies,  during  the 
time  therein  mentioned,  and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the 
art«  of  designing,  engraving  and  etching  historical  and  other  prints." 

JAMES  DILL, 
Clerk  of  the  Southern  District  of  New- York. 


[Submitted  to  the  PhysicO' Medical  Society 
of  New-York^  and  published  at  the  request  of 
that  Association^  pursuant  to  their  Resolution^ 
dated  December^  1817.] 


BOSTON  CGLLE 


K'  I 


to 
STEPHEN  ELLIOT,  ESQUIRE, 

PRESIDENT    OP    THE    LITERARY    AND    PHILOSOPHICAL 

SOCIETY, 

OF  CHARLESTON,  SOUTH-CARGLINA, 

AS    A 

TRIBUTE  OF  RESPECT 

FOR 

HIS   LITERARY  AND  SCIENTIFIC   TALENTS, 

BY   HIS    OBEDIENT    SERVANT, 

THE  AUTHOR. 


APHORISMS 


OF 


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Z^^'coiJ. 


^  I 


Nl  COLLEGE   i 


JUT  HlLl 

PREFACE 


Th  e  only  translations  which  I  have  seen 
of  the  Aphorisms  of  Hippocrates,  is  th^t  of 
M.  Pariset,  printed  in  1816;*  and  the 
English  translation  of  C.  I.  Sprengell,  done 
in  1708.  The  reader,  by  reverting  to  the 
French  version,  will  perceive  much  of  para- 
phrase, and  some  tournures  de  phrase^  by 
no  means  correspondent  with  the  original 
text  of  the  author,  which  I  have  frequently 
subjoined  in  the  margin.  Were  it  not  for 
these  objections,  this  attempt  would  be,  in 
a  measure,  supererogatory.  I  have  preferred 
the  version  of  Verhoofd,  as  adopted  by  Pa» 
riset,  not  only  on  account  of  the  elegance 
of  its  latinity,  but  from  its  being  next  to 
Heurnius,  the  most  literal  of  many  which 
I  have  had  recourse  to.  That  of  the  learn- 
ed Villebrune,  of  1779,  however  correct  in 
the  original  text,  is  too  diffuse  and  free  in 

s  Aphorisma  D' Hippocrates  L  2tin-FraDcai5> 


X  PREFACE. 

its  latin  version,  to  be  again  transfused  into 
the  stiil  more  copious  English :  and  there 
was  some  danger,  lest  in  recurring  to  a  para- 
phrastic, instead  of  a  literal  translation,  that 
not  only  the  spirit,  but  some  of  the  original 
matter  might  be  lost. 

The  Lejden  edition  of  Johannes  Heur- 
nius,  *  possesses,  perhaps,  the  most  close 
and  literal  translation  of  any  I  have  yet  seen, 
and  is  in  its  style,  so  analagous  to  that  of 
Verhoofd,  that  the  reader,  by  comparing 
them,  will  be  irresistibly  led  to  the  inference, 
that  the  latter  is  no  more  than  a  revision  of 
the  former.  But  what  the  various  commen- 
tators have  differed  most  upon,  is  the 
genuineness  of  some  portions  of  this  work. 
While  some  condemn  the  seventh  and 
eighth  sections  as  altogether  spurious,  and 
as  differing  in  style  from  the  terse,  Ionic 
dialect  of  the  original ;  others  view  them  as 
genuine  in  the  main,  but  as  containing  many 
mterpolations  and  alterations.  Among  these, 
Villebrune  has  given,  as  genuine,  six  sections, 
and  the  greatest  part  of  the  seventh  (down 
to  Aphor,  66,)  observing  at  the  conclusion,— 

*  Hipp.  Coi  Aphor.  Grscce  etLatine.  Lug.  Batav.  1627. 


PREFACE.  XI 

"  Reliquos  ut  absurdos,  inutilcsve,  cum  Me- 
letio,  Philotheo,  Arabibus,  pluribus  Graeci 
neglexi." 

But  although  Villebrune  has  arrayed  on 
his  side  some  stout  oppositionists,  yet  there 
are  others,  equaiiy  strong,  who  maintain  the 
integrity  of  the  work  handed  down  to  us. 
Amidst  so  many  contradictory,  and  yet  re- 
spectable authorities,  the  Medical  Tyro 
stands  bewildered,  and  like  the  devout  Mus- 
sulman, knows  not  wherein  consists  the  ve- 
ritable part.  Besides,  this  *'  ratio  sufficiens*' 
of  Villebrune,  might  be  equally  extended 
to  many  Aphorisms  throughout  the  work ; 
and  the  gleaner  of  absurdities  might  derive 
as  fine  a  harvest  from  the  works  of  the  Coan 
-Sage,  as  from  any  of  the  ancients  extant, 
not  excepting  the  divine  Plato,  or  the  critical 
Aristotle.  No  one  will  seriously  attempt  to 
defend,  although  he  may  palliate  the  errors, 
imperfections  and  absurdities  of  Hippocrates; 
— they  were  incident  to  the  age  in  which  he 
lived,  when  the  influx  of  scientific  light 
which  beams  on  the  present  day,  was  yet  in 
the  antipodes. 


Xli  PREFACE. 

I  obtained  the  English  translation  of  C.  L 
Sprengell,*  after  I  had  nearly  conripleted 
my  labours,  and,  in  adverting  to  it,  was 
more  than  ever  convinced  of  the  neces- 
sity of  a  more  correct,  literal,  and  elegant 
translation;  in  attempting  which,  it  is  left 
for  others  to  decide,  how  far  I  have  sue- 
oeeded. 

*  In  the  Library  of  the  New- York  Hospital. 


STRICTURES 

ON   THE 

LIFE    AND    WRITINGS 

OF 

HIPPOCRATES, 


Hippocrates,  distinguished  by  the  titles 
of  Father  of  Medicine  and  Prince  of  Phy- 
sicians, was  born  in  the  island  of  Cos,  in 
the  first  year  of  the  80th  Olympiade,  and 
460  years  before  the  Christian  era.  Of 
his  history,  Hke  that  of  most  fnen  of  science^ 
very  little  seems  to  be  perfectly  known  ;  and 
indeed  the  whole  of  it  is  so  involved  in 
doubt,  so  interwoven  with  intentional  fraud 
and  anachronism,  that  it  is  only  by  collating 
the  testimony  of  the  many  authors  who  have 
spoken  of  him,  that  the  critical  Biographer 
is  enabled  to  arrive  at  any  thing  like  the 
truth.  *  He  was  cotemporary  with  the 
greatest  men  of  Greece, — Socrates,  Hero. 
dotus,  Thucydides,  Democritus,  and  others ; 
and  was  of  the  family  of  the  Asclepiades,  being 
himself  the  eighteenth  lineal  descendant  from 
iEsculapius,  and  the  seventeenth  from  Por 

*  See  Cydopsedia  Edin.  Art.  Hipp. 

2 


XIV  LIFE    AND    WRITINGS 

dalirius,  the  latter  of  whom,  with  Machaon^ 
accompanied  the  allied  Greeks  against  the 
Trojans.'^  By  his  mother's  side  he  also 
claimed  lieneage  with  the  Hcraclidae.  From 
j^sculapius  downwards,  the  family  of  the  As- 
clepiades  were  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of 
medicine,  and,  like  the  Levites  of  the  Jews^ 
were  unwilling  that  the  inheritance  of  their 
fathers  should  depart  from  their  house.  It 
was  thus,  that  the  learning  and  science  of  the 
age  were  successively  tranmitted  from  one 
generation  to  another,  and  were  as  tenaciously 
guarded  from  the  votarist  of  wisdom,  as  were 
the  Apples  of  the  Hesperides,  or  the  Fleece  of 
Colchis,  from  the  adventurous  heroism  of  the 
times.  The  art  of  printing,  w^hich,  in  after 
ages,  gave  so  wide  a  range  to  observation  and 
facts,  which  established  as  it  were  a  commu^ 
nion  of  knowledge,  and  transmitted  to  a  sue» 
ceeding  age  the  labours  of  that  which  had  pre- 
ceeded,  was  then  unknown.  Consequently 
there  was  a  monopoly  of  ideas  as  there  was 
of  power,  although  in  the  present  enlightened 
age,  they  are  the  most  opposite  principles  in 
tlie  elements  of  civil  and  political  govern^ 
ment. 

»  IlUade,  B.  IL 


OF    HIPPOCRATES.  XV 

We  may  then  easily  conceive  how  a  fami- 
ly like  the  Asclepiades,  directing  all  their 
energies  to  the  cultivation  of  a  particular 
science,  and  making  all  their  learning  and 
observation  contributive  to  its  advancement^ 
should,  with  each  succeeding  generation,  find 
new  truths  developed,  and  a  new  series  of 
facts  to  act  upon.  Yet  it  does  not  detract 
from  the  glory  of  Hippocrates,  that  his  were 
the  materials  of  a  long  line  of  ancestry — that 
the  tide  of  knowledge  which  he  poured  in  up- 
on the  v/orld,  should  have  been  the  contri- 
butions of  successive  auxiliary  streams, 
which,  falling  into  one  channel,  had  rolled  on- 
ward through  a  space  of  five  centuries.  How- 
ever gigantic  be  the  manhood  of  Science,  its 
infancy  is  not  always  the  infancy  of  a  Hercu- 
les ;  however  potent  be  its  final  energies,  it 
is,  in  its  origin,  for  the  most  part,  feeble,  and 
in  its  progress  to  maturity,  tedious,  slow, 
and  interrupted.  In  tracing  the  gradual  ad- 
vance of  any  art,  how  small  a  proportion  does 
each  individual  contribution  bear  to  the  grand 
result ; — how  great  the  difference  between  the 
rough-hewn,  mishapen  Hermes  of  the  Egyp- 
tian, and  the  breathing,  speaking,  animated 
Marble  of  the  Greek  !     The  poet  and  era- 


XYl  LIFE    AND    WRITINGS 

tor  may  start  up  a  giant,  but  Science,  like 
the  mythological  world  of  the  ancients,  has 
had  its  origin  from  an  Egg-shell. 

Althousrh  the  sacred  mantle  of  the  Ascle- 
piades  descended  upon  the  shoulders  of  Hip- 
pocrates, yet  he  possessed  too  enlarged  and 
philanthropic  a  mind  to  aim  at  confining  the 
mass  of  knov/ledge  bequeathed  by  his  ances- 
tors solely  to  his  own  family.  With  the  em- 
pirical practice  of  his  predecessors  he  combi- 
ned the  gymnastic  medicine  of  Herodicus, 
under  whose  brother,  Gorgias,  lie  is  said  to 
have  studied  philosophy  and  eloquence.  He 
was,  however,  both  in  his  practice  and  wri- 
tings, a  true  eclectic,  admitting  or  rejecting 
what  preceding  ages  had  offered  to  his  notice., 
only  as  they  accorded  or  differed  with  his 
own  observation  and  experience.  The  ab- 
stract theories  of  Sectarian  philosophy  were 
carefully  seperated  from  what  he  considered 
the  rational  principles  of  practice. 

"  Hippocrates  Cous  primus  quidem,  ex 
omnibus  memorise  dignis,  ab  studio  sapiential 
disciplinam  hanc  (philosopham)  separavit^ 
^ir  et  arte  et  facundia  insignis.* 

«  Celsu'^. 


OF    HIPPOCRATES,  XVII 

Like  the  philosophers  of  that  age,  he  ad= 
ded  to  the  traditionary  knowledge  he  had  re- 
received,  the  instruction  which  travel,  obser» 
vation,  and  an  intercourse  with  the  most  en- 
lightened men  of  his  time  afforded.      Deriv- 
ing new  accession  of  facts  from  the  various 
countries   which  he    visited,    he  made  the 
tour  of  Greece  and  Asia  Minor,  and  took  up 
his  abode  in  Larissa,  the  capital  of  Thessaly. 
Most  of  the  stories,  so  highly  interesting^  re» 
lated  of  him  bv  Soranus  and  others,  are'disf 
carded  by  the  critics  ;  such  as  his  discover- 
ing, by  his  art,  that  the  illness  of  the  young 
Perdiccas  was  owing  to  the  love  he  bore  to 
Phila,  the  mistress   of  his   father,    king   of 
Macedon ;  and  his  visits  to  the  philosopher 
Democritus,  of  Abdera,  at  the  solicitation  of 
the  Abderites,  whom  they  deemed   insane ^^ 
but  whom  Hippocrates   pronounced  the  wi- 
sest  and  most  sane  man  of  Abdera.     The 
supposed   letter  of  the  Abderites  to  Hippo- 
crates, on  this  occasion,  is  still  extant.    The 
cure  of  the  young  Perdiccas,^  is,  however,  by 
most  writers,    ascribed  to  another  physician 
(Erasistratus,)  and  his  visit  to  Democritus 
appears  to  be  altogether  a   fictitious  drama, 
wrought  up  by   some  writer  who  flourished 


XVIU  LIFE    AND    WRITINGS 

long  after  him.  The  account  given  by  Ae» 
tins,  of  the  part  he  took  in  the  dreadful  plague- 
which  visited  Athens  in  the  time  of  Pericles^, 
has  met  a  refutation  from  the  judicious  Le 
Clerc*  Plutarch  ascribes  the  actions  there- 
in related  of  Hippocrates,  to  one  Acron  of 
Agrigentum;  and  Dr.  Ackerman  thinks  that 
these  fictitious  circumstances  were  conjured 
up  long  after  the  death  of  Hippocrates  by  the 
Dogmatic  Sect  who  regarded  him  as  their 
founder. 

But  the  fame  of  Hippocrates  does  not  con- 
sist in  a  few  interesting  incidents,  heightened 
by  classical  feeling,  and  rendered  prominent 
by  classical  association  ; — it  rests  upon  a 
more  stable  and  imperishable  base ;  on  the 
vast  accession  he  made  to  the  science  which 
he  professed,  and  on  his  endeavours  to  form  a 
co'mplete  system  of  medicine,  founded  upon 
observation  and  rational  deduction.  After  a 
life  spent  in  the  most  useful  labours,  and  de- 
voted to  the  purposes  of  humanity,  he  died 
at  Larissa,  in  Thessaly,  at  the  advanced  age 
of  one  hundred  and  nine.  The  epithet,  di- 
vine, was  affixed  to  his  name  ;  statues  and- 

*  Vids  Cyclopsed.  Edin.  Art.  Hippr 


OF    HIPPOCRATES»  SIX 

temples  were  erected  to  his  memory  ;  and  in= 
eense  was  offered  up  on  altars  dedicated  to 
his  divinity. 

It  is  by  comparing  the  medical  knowledge 
of  Hippocrates,  with  what  it  was  previous  to 
his  time,  that  we  shall  be  enabled  to  form  an 
estimate  of  the  services  which  he  has  render- 
ed the  science,  of  which  he  has  been  consid- 
ered the  fotmder.  The  limits  of  a  work^ 
like  the  present,  w  ill  not  permit  our  entering 
upon  a  critical  analysis  of  the  peculiar  doc- 
trines of  Hippocrates,  or  a  general  detail  of 
the  subjects  upon  which  he  has  written.^'" 
We  merely  purpose  to  advert  to  a  few  of  the 
leading  principles  upon  which  his  gene- 
ral  doctrines  rest,  as  they  serve  to  illustrate 
some  of  his  pathological  observations,  in  the 
folio vving  work,. 

He  supposes  a  principle,  '7.  (pvn^,  Vv^hich  per- 
vades the  material  creation,  and  which  serves, 
as  the  motive  pawer  of  elementary  matter» 
This  principle  is  the  cause  of  animal  life  and 
motion,  and  through  it,  the  blood  and  spirits 
receive  heat,  life,  and  sensation.  It  will  be  per- 
ceived, that  the  ^'  nature,"  g'^fs's  of  Hippocra- 

'-  Vide"  Ojjinia  Qpera  Jocsii."  etCyclopxd.  Edip, .Art», Hippi 


XX  LIFE  AND   WRITINGS 

tes,  is  the  "  Archeus'' — the  **  Vital  princi- 
ple,"— the  ''  Sensorial  Power," — "  The 
Excitability," — and  the  "Vis  Medicatrix 
Naturae"  of  succeeding  writers.  The  Dog- 
matic Sect,  who  clainried  Hippocrates  as 
their  founder,*  paid  the  greatest  deference 
to  his 'sj^'i'?'?,  and  viewed  her  as  the  vis  con- 
servatrix  in  all  derangements  of  the  animal 
economy.  Their  practice  was,  therefore, 
passive^  not  operative.  The  symptoms  of 
disease  were  so  many  preservative  efforts  of 
the  vis  medicatrix  to  throw  off  the  morbific 
matter,  after  being  duly  concocted.  We 
may  trace  the  spirit  of  this  erroneous  doc- 
trine, through  sucessive  ages,  down  to  our 
ovvn  time.  It  was  maintained  and  defended 
by  the  illustrious  Sydenham,  though  very 
little  influencing  his  practice^  and  forms,  at 
this  day,  the  basis  of  the  Theory  of  the  French 
School.  Its  tendency  in  Medicine,  like  the 
doctrine  of  predestination  in  Ethics,  goes  to 
paralize  every  intellectual  effort ;  and  its  a- 
doptionby  the  most  scientific  nation  in  Europe 
ean  only  be  ascribed  to  that  classical  mania 
which  measures  every  species  of  excellence 

*  See  this  claim  refuted,  Cyclopaed  :  Edin.  Art  Medicine, 


OF  HIPPOCEATES.  XXI 

by  a  Greek  and  Roman  scale.  But  it  does  not 
appear,  in  recurring  to  the  writings  of  Hip- 
pocrates, that  he  gave  the  same  indefinite 
scope  to  the  curative  agency  of  Nature  in 
diseases,  as  was  deputed  to  ker  by  his  reput- 
ed followers,  who,  like  true  sectarians,  dis- 
regarding the  spirit,  adhered  religiously  to 
the  literal  bodt/. 

The  anatomical  knowledge  of  Hippocrates 
was  necessarily  circumscribed  by  the  age  in 
which  he  lived,  when  a  jnaterial  theology^ 
combined  with  the  grossest  superstition,  for- 
bade a  recourse  to  dissectiojis  ;  and  when  the 
superficial  knowledge  which  the  student  ob- 
tained of  the  structure  of  the  human  body, 
was  derived  from  comparative  anatomy,  and 
the  opportunities  which  accident  afford- 
ed. To  this  may  be  ascribed  most  of  his 
physiological  and  pathological  errors ;  and  if, 
to  this,  we  add  the  extreme  deficiency  of  the 
age,  in  the  Quxiliary  sciences  of  medicine,  so 
far  from  ^vondering  at  the  errors  which  we 
encounter  in  his  writings,  we  shall  be  lost  ia 
admiration,  at  the  sagacity  and  almost  in- 
tuitive wisdom  which  he  evinces  in  his 
knowledge  of  the  nature  and  seat  of  diseases. 

We  shall  not  advert  to  the  many  singular 


XXU  LIFE   AND   WRITINGS. 

and  ridiculous  notions,  which,  like  spurious 
veins  of  earth  amidst  the  metallic  splendour 
of  the  mine,  may  be  found  interspersed 
among  the  writings  of  Hippocrates.  Long 
after  him,  when  the  anatomical  labours  of 
Erasistratus  and  Herophilus  threw  a  con- 
siderable light  on  the  structure  of  the  human 
body,  most  of  these  errors  and  absurdities 
were  maintained  and  defended  ;  and  we  have 
only  to  turn  over  the  pages  of  Aristptle  and 
of  Plato,  to  observe  these  anomalies  of  ge- 
nius, modified  into  form,  and  extended  into 
system.  The  curative  plan  of  Hippocrates 
was  extremely  simple.  He  depended  much 
on  the  resources  of  nature,  but  not  to  the  ex- 
tent afterwards  adopted  by  his  followers  ;  and 
recommends  a  reliance  upon  her^  in  prefer- 
ence to  a  dependance  on  a  rash  and  uncertain 
remedy.  The  most  simple  plan  of  treatment 
was  sometimes  alternated  with  the  use  of  the 
most  violent  and  active  medicines,  such 
as  Hellebore,  Elaterium,  Colycinth,  and 
Scammony.  Avoiding  indecision  on  the  one 
hand,  and  a  rasli  precipitancy  on  the  other,  he 
appears  to  have  been  prompt,  yet  judicious  i; 
decisivCj    and  yet  calm. 


o:F  HIPPOCRATES.  Sxlil 


But  it  is  chiefly  in  matters  of  fact  and  ob- 
servation, that  the  greatness  of  Hippocrates 
consists.  The  technical  language  of  our 
own  times,  is,  in  a  measure,  drawn  from  his 
writings.  He  first  divided  diseases  into 
epidemic^  endefitic,  and  sporadic,  according  to 
the  present  acceptations  of  these  terms ;  and 
these  diseases  he  again  divides  into  acute  and 
chronic.  The  duration  of  an  acute  disease  was 
distinguished  by  the  beginning,  height,  decline^ 
and  termination.  In  the  third  stage  of  the 
disease,  decoction  took  place  ;  and  the  crisis 
was  placed  between  this  and  the  last  stage. 
As  he  observed  the  crisis  to  supervene,  for 
the  most  part,  on  particular  days,  he  institu- 
ted his  dies  critici,  and  thence  deduced  his 
prognostica  symptomnta.  Besides  devoting; 
his  pen  to  the  various  departments  of  medi« 
cal  knowledge,  he  paid  much  attention,  in  the 
education  of  his  pupils,  to  what  may  be 
called  ethical  medicine.  His  ideas  of  the 
dignity  of  his  profession,  were  as  fully  ex- 
emplified in  his  life,  as  they  are  elegantly 
given  in  his  writings  : 

"  Decet  etiam  moribus  honestis  elegantem 
esse.     Et  cum  talem    se  praestiterit,  crga 


XXIV  LIFE    AND    WBITlNGS 

omnes  insuper  et  gravis  et  humaniis  esto, 
Promptitudo  enim  et  facilitas  medendi  ef. 
fuse  oblata,  ab  asgris  contemnitur  :  quamvis 
alioqui  siimmas  benignitatis  officium  illud 
sit."* 

Indefatigable  and  successful  in  his  re- 
searches, he  greatly  enlarged  the  empire  of 
medicine.  His  pathology  and  principles  of 
cure  are,  with  a  few  exceptions  and  modifi- 
cations, those  of  our  own  times.  Yet  how 
few  who  pronounce  his  name  with  reverence 
and  respect,  have  ever  consulted  his  oracles. 
Satisfied  with  doing  hom^age  to  his  wisdom, 
they  have  dispensed  with  its  precepts.  When 
the  Goths,  in  the  recesses  of  their  forests,  had 
tasted,  for  the  first  time,  the  vintage  of  Italy, 
they  eagerly  marched  forward  in  quest  of 
the  land  which  had  produced  it :  how  much 
less  ardour  does  the  student  evince,  who  is 
satisfied  with  receiving  at  secondary  and  ter- 
Bary  sources,  that  wisdom  which  may  be  ob- 
tained at  the  fountain-head,  pure  and  unadul- 
terated. 

The   name   of  Hippocrates    has    become 

*  D€  Medic©,  Hipp. 


CF   HIPPOCRATES.  XXV 

identified  with  the  science  which  he  pro= 
fessed.  His  was  the  ambition  which  seeks 
the  aggrandizement  of  self  in  encompassing 
the  happiness  of  others  ;  his  the  wished  for 
glory,  whose  throne  is  cotemporary  grati- 
tude, and  whose  crown — -the  blessings  of  af- 
ter ages.  His  object  was  to  enlarge  the  do= 
mains  of  Medicine  by  multiplying  her  re= 
sources,  and  by  exciting  an  emulation  among 
her  votariese  Before  his  tim^e,  Medicine  was 
the  art  of  priests  and  of  jugglers  :  he  rescued 
her  from  the  degrading  thraldom  into  which 
she  had  fallen,  and  raised  her  to  the  dis^nit^^ 
of  a  Science.  Greece  listened  with  reverence 
to  his  precepts — his  sentences  were  heard 
amidst  the  groves  of  the  Academus  and  the 
assemblages  of  the  Porch,  and  Philosophy 
herself  was  proud  to  enlist  beneath  the  ban- 
ners he  had  elevated. 

Independent  of  the  advantages  to  be  de- 
rived from  the  study  of  the  ancient  Authors^ 
there  is  connected  with  the  enthusiasm  whicli 
urges  us  on  to  the  pursuit,  a  spirit- stirring 
curiosity,  which  prompts  us  to  seek  for  the 
sources  of  those  streams  of  knowledge,  thst^ 
in  our  own  times,  dispense  their  blessings  to 

3 


XXvi  LIFE   AND  WRITINGS,  &C. 

mankind.  Added  to  this,  the  energy  and 
vigour  which  characterize  their  attempts, 
may  serve  to  impart  a  nerve  to  our  own  ex- 
ertions, and  furnish  examples  to  incite  us  on 
to  similar  undertakings.  However  ample  be 
the  forces  of  genius,  they  need  some  rallying 
point  to  impart  to  them  confidence,  and  some 
authority  to  marshal  their  numbers,  and  give 
direction  to  their  efforts.  The  memories  of 
Hippocrates,  Aristotle,  Galileo,  Harvey,  Ba- 
con, Newton,  Franklin  and  Fulton,  would 
live  in  the  gratitude  of  after- ages,  were  even 
their  individual  contributions  lost  to  pos- 
terity. Each,  as  it  were,  gave  a  fulcrum  to 
the  human  mind,  and  enlarged  the  sphere  of 
its  exertions.  Their  very  names  will  serve 
as  w^tch- words  to  animate  the  timid  votary 
of  Science  onward,  and  to  nerve  him  up  for 
the  encounter;  and  their  memories, like  signaL 
iires,  blazing  from  afar,  and  streaming  through 
the  lapse  of  ages,  will,  in  the  darkest  night  of 
the  human  intellect,  serve  to  assemble  the 
few  scattered  p?trtisans  of  wisdom,  and  bid 
tliem  hope ! 


HIPPOCRATIS 


SECTIO  I. 

1.  Vita  brevis,  ars  longa,  occasio  prse- 
ceps,*  experientia  fallax,  judicium  difficile. 
Oportet  autem  non  modo  se  ipsum  exhibere 
qujs  oportet  facientem,  sed  etiam  aegrum^  et 

pra^sentes^  et  externa. 

2.  In  perturbationibus  alvi,  et  vomitibus 
Sp«)!ite  evenientibus,  siquidem  qualia  oportet 
piirgari,  purgentur,  confert,  et  facile  ferunt ; 
sill  minus,  contra.  Sic  et  vasorum  eva- 
ciiatio,  siquidem  qualem  fieri  decet,  fiat,  con- 
fert, et  facile  ferunt;  sin  minus,  contra. 
Respicere  igitur  oportet,  et  regionem,  et 
teiiipestatcm,  et  ^tatem,  et  morbos,  in  qui- 
biis  convenit,  aut  non. 


'-  VillebrunCj  in  his  version  of  1779,  has  rendered  Kaipog  oipt 
^:'2omsntit}n  urgens  \  but  most  translators  agree  with  Verhoofd. 


THE 

OP 

HIPPOCRATES. 


SECTION  I. 

1.  Life  is  short,  art  long,  occasion  brief^ 
experience  fallacious,  judgment  difficult.  It 
is  requisite  that  the  Physician  exhibit  what 
is  essential,  and  that  the  patient,  attendants^ 
and  all  which  surrounds  him,  concur  therein. 

2.  In  diarrhoea  and  spontaneous  vomiting, 
if  the  matter  voided  be  of  a  nature  that  ought 
to  be  expelled,  let  the  patient  be  purged,  for 
in  this  case,  the  evacuations  are  beneficial 
and  are  easily  supported;  but  if  the  effect 
be  otherwise,  the  contrary  is  indicated.  The 
same  rule  obtains  in  vascular  depletion; 
when  it  is  judiciously  had  recourse  to,  it 
is  beneficial  and  is  easily  supported:  but  if 
it  be  othervv^ise,  the  contrary  is  indicated. 
We  ought,  therefore,  to  bear  in  mind  the 
climate,  the  season,  the  age  and  the  disease^ 
and  thence  infer  whether  these  things  be  be- 
tieficial  or  otherwise. 

3t 


Q 


50  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

3.  In  exercitantibus  boni  habitus  ad  sum- 
mum  progress!,  periculosi,  si  in  extremo 
fiienPit.^"  Non  enim  possunt  in  eodem  ma- 
nere,  neque  quiescere.  Cum  vero  non  qui- 
escant,  neque  ultra  possint  in  melius  profi= 
cere,  reliquum  est  igitur  ut  in  deterius.  Ho- 
rum  igitur  causa,  bonum  habitum  baud  cunc- 
taoter  solvere  confert,  quo  rursus  renutri- 
tionis  principium  sumat  corpus.  Neque  con- 
sidentii©  ad  extremum  ducend^e  ;  periculo- 
siiKi  enim :  sed  qualis  natura  fuerit  ejus 
qui  perferet,  eo  usque  ducenda3.  Sic  et  eva- 
cuationes  ad  extremum  ducentes,  periculosi ; 
et  iursiis  refectiones,  cum  extremse  fuerint, 
periculosss. 

4.  Tenuis  et  exquisitus  victus,  et  in 
loiigis  morbis  semper,  et  in  acutis,  ubi  non 
convenit,  periculosus.  Et  rursus,  ad  ex^ 
tremum  tenuitatis  progressus  victus,  difficilis. 
Nam  et  repletiones  ad  extremum  progress^, 
diiEciles  sunt. 


*  Sensum  hujus  loci  recte  dat  Celsus  lib.  i.  "  Sed  at  hujns  generis 
esereitationes  cibique  necessarii  sint,  sic  athletic!  supervacui,  c,  i. 
Ac  ae  his  quidem  athletarum  exemplo,  immodicus  esse  labor  debetf 
c„  I.  Lmplet  autem  corpus  modica  exercitatio."    Fillebrane^    Nos^ 

C'riticsB. 


APHORISMS   OF  HIPPOCRATES.  31 

3.  In  those  having  an  excess  of  health, 
violent  exercise  is  dangerous;  for  in  such  con- 
stitutions an  equilibrium  of  health  cannot  be 
maintained.  And  as  their  temperament  of 
health  is  neither  stationary  nor  progressive,  it 
must,  of  necessity,  have  a  retrograde  tendency. 
For  these  reasons,  therefore,  we  should  speedily 
set  about  reducing  this  extreme  of  health,  in 
order  that  the  body  may  take  upon  itself  a  new 
principle  of  nutrition.  Neither  should  this 
reduction  be  carried  too  far,  for  we  should 
be  guided  by  the  strength  and  constitution 
of  the  patient.  Thus  the  extrem.es  of  reple- 
tion and  depletion  are  equally  to  be  avoided^ 
as  both  are  attended  with  danger, 

4.  In  protracted  ilfness,  a  severe  and  thin 
regimen  is  always  dangerous,  and  it  is 
equally  so  in  acute  maladies,  where  it  accords 
not  with  the  constitution  of  the  patient.  And 
again,— an  attenuated  regimen  carried  too  far 
is  as  difficult  to  support,,  as  an  excess .  of 
repletion». 


BOSTON  COLLEGE 

FACULTY  LIBRAP'!  1 

CHESTNUT  HU  :ASS.  ^ 


32  IIIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

5.  In  tenui  victu  delinquunt  aegri;  ob 
id  magis  Iseduntur.  Omne  enim  delictum^ 
quod  committitur,  multo  majus  fft  in  tenui, 
quam  in  paulo  pleniore  victu.*  Propterea 
etiam  sanis  periculosus  est  valde  tenuis,  et 
constitutus,  et  exquisitus  victus,  quia  de- 
licta  gravius  ferunt.  Ob  hoc  igitur  tenuis 
et  exquisitus  victus  periculosus  magis,  quam 
paulo  pienior. 

6.  Ad  extremes  morbos^,  extrema  remedia 
exquisite  optima. 

7.  Ubi  igitur  peracutus  est  morbus,  sta- 
tini  extremos  habet  labores,  et  extreme  te- 
nuissimo  victu  uti  necesse  est.  Ubi  vero 
iion,  sed  pleniorem  victum  exhibere  iicetj 
tantum  a  tenui  recedendum,  quantum  mor-> 
bus  remissior  extremis  fuerit. 

8.  Cum  morbus  in  vigore  fuerit,  time  vel 
tcnuissimo  victu  uti  necesse  est. 

9.  Considerare  oportet  etiam  gegrotantem, , 

*  Hic  carpit  et  monet  auctor  medicos  aui  temporls,  qui  gr^viter, 
ut  plurimum.  errebant  in  tenui  ori  dista  prsescribcnda,  -  Fillehrunt, 


APHORISMS   OF   HIPPOCRATES.  33 

5.  The  sick  frequently  err  in  the  adoption 
of  a  spare  diet.  They  are  therein  the  more 
injured.  In  the  choice  of  regimen,  more 
evil  results  from  abstraction  than  from  a 
small  excess.  A  thin,  frugal,  and  over- 
exact  regimen  accords  not  even  with  the 
man  in  health,  who  grievously  supports  the 
privation.  Hence,  in  general,  the  superiority 
of  a  due  refection  over  that  w^hich  is  de- 
ficient. 

6.  The  greater  the  evil — ^the  more  vigo= 
rous  the  remedy. 

.  7.  In  acute  diseases  the  most  violent 
symptoms  supervene :  the  severest  regimen 
is,  therefore,  to  be  observed.  But  if  these 
symptoms  be  wanting,  a  more  generous  diet 
is  to  be  permitted ;  only  w^e  are  to  have  re- 
course to  it,  in  proportion  to  the  subsidence 
of  the  malady. 

8.  When  the  disease  attains  most  vigour-— 
then  it  is,  that  the  severest  regimen  is  re- 
quired. 

9.  In  the  prescribing  of  regimen,  we  are 
to  consider,  whether  it  be  sufficient  to  sup- 
port the  patient  until  the  disease  attain  its 
height ;  whether  before  this  period,  the  patient 


34  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

num  ad  morbi  vigorem  victu  sufficiat,  et 
an  prius  ille  deficiat,  et  victu  non  sufficere 
possit,  vel  morbus  priiis  deficiat,  et  obtun- 
datur. 

10.  Quibus  igitur  statim  vigor  adest,  sta- 
tim  tenuiter  alendi.  Quibus  vero  in  pos- 
terum  vigor,  his  ad  illud,  et  paulo  ante  illud 
tempus,  subtrahendum.  Antea  vero  ube- 
riiis  alendum,  ut  sufficiat  aeger. 


11.  In  exacerbationibus  cibuni  subtra- 
here  oportet :  exhibere  enim,  noxium  est, 
Et  qusecunque  per  circuitus  exacerbantur, 
in  exacerbationibus  subtrahere  oportet.* 

12.  Exacerbationes  autem  et  constitu- 
tiones  indicabunt  morbi,  et  anni  tempora, 
et  periodorum  collata  inter  se  incrementa, 
sive  quotidie,  sive  alternis  diebus,  sive 
longiore  fiant  tempore.  Quin  etiam  et  per 
ea,  qua3  mox  apparent,  eadem  indicantur, 
yelut  in  pleuriticis  sputum,   si  statim  circa 

•  Aph.  n.  desumkur  e  lib.  Diat.  Act/t.  p.  68,69.  BinaB  sunt 
partes  huju3  aph.  Prior  de  morbis  cum  febre,  longis  vel  acutis; 
posterior  de  morbis  periodicis-cum  vel  sine  febre.     P^illsbruns, 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  3-5 

may  sink  from  an  inability  to  support  the  regi- 
men ;  or,  whether  the  malady  will,  thereby^ 
be  previously  broken  and  overcome, 

10.  In  those  diseases  which  quickly  ar- 
rive at  thei^  climax,  a  thin  regimen  should 
immediately  be  adopted.  In  those  which 
attain  it  at  a  somewhat  later  period,  we  should 
at,  or  before  that  period,  subtract  from  their 
diet :  but  until  then,  sufficient  nourishment 
should  be  allov/ed,  that  the  strength  of  the 
patient  may  be  supported. 

11.  During  the  exacerbations,  food  is  to 
be  suspended :  to  administer  it  at  that  time 
would  be  injurious.  When  the  returns  are 
periodical,  the  diet  is  to  be  withdrawn  on 
the  coming  on  of  the  paroxysms. 

12.  The  nature  of  diseases,  with  their 
paroxysms,  are  ascertained  by  regarding  the 
time  of  the  year — the  comparative  succession 
of  periods ; — observing  also,  whether  the 
exacerbations  occur  each  day,  or  on  alternate 
days,  or  at  greater  intervals.^  The  same 
result  is  obtained   by  attending   to   present 

*  The  foIJoT^-ing  distich  comprehends  the   general  heads  from 
ftliich  indications  arc  taken  : 

"  Ars,  aetas,  rcgio,  complesio,  virtus, 

"'  Mos  et  symptoina;  repletio,  teaipns  ct  osus." 


36  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

initia  subappareat,  morbum  brevem  ;  si  vero 
posteriiis,  longum  futurum  denunciat.  Et 
urinas,  et  alvi  excrementa,  et  sudores,  ciim 
apparent,  vel  judicatu  faciles,  vel  difficiles^ 
v.el  breves,  vel  longos  fore  mor bos  indicant. 


13.  Senes  facillime  jejunium  ferunt;  se- 
cundo  astate  consistentes  minime  adoles- 
centes,  omnium  minime  pueri ;  ex  his 
autem,  qui  inter  ipsos  sunt  alacriores.* 

14.  Qu^  crescunt,  plurimiim  habent  ca- 
lidi  innati ;  plurimo  igitur  egent  alimento ; 
sin  miniss,  corpus  consumitur.  Senibus  au- 
tem paucus  calor ;  propterea  paucis  fomiti- 
bus  indigent,  a  multis  enim  extinguitur. 
Idcirco  etiam  febres  senibus  non  similiter 
acutae.     Frigidum  enim  est  corpus. 

15.  Ventres  hyeme  et  vere  natura   sunt 

*  The  ancients  distinguish  six  different  stages  of  existence. 
JStas  pueritias,  childhood  ;  to  the  5  th  year. 
-        adolescentiee,  youth  ;  to  the  25th  year. 

juventntis  ;  from  the  ajth  to  the  35th  year. 

virilis,  manhood  ;  from  the  35th  to  the  50th  year. 

— —  senectQtis,  old  age ;  from  the  50th  to  the  6oth  year 
— —  crepita,  decrepitude ;  ending  in  death. 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  &f 

symptoms  ;  as  in  pleurisy,  if  the  flow  of  sa« 
liva  take  place  at  the  commencement,  the 
duration  of  the  disease  will  be  short ;  if  at 
a  later  period — it  will  be  more  extended» 
The  alvine,  urinary,  and  cutaneous  excre- 
tions, serve  to  indicate  whether  the  disease 
will  be  mild  or  severe,  short  or  protracted. 

13.  Old  men  bear  abstinence  best;  next, 
those  who  have  attained  their  climacteric  ^ 
adolescence,  less;  and  infancy,  least; — but 
of  all  these,  the  vivacious  support  it  most 
easily. 

14.  The  growing  body  has  most  of  innate 
heat,  and,  therefore,  requires  most  aliment ; 
otherwise  the  constitution  suffers.  Old  men 
have  less  heat,  and,  therefore,  needless  food. 
An  over  quantity  would  injure  them.  It,  there- 
fore, folio wsjthat  fevers  have  not  that  acute  ten- 
dency with  the  aged  which  they  have  with  the 
youthful;  with  the  former  the  body  is  cold. 

15.  In  winter  and  in  spring  the  stomach 
is  necessarily  warmer,  and  the  sleep  more 
extended.  In  those  seasons,  therefore,  a 
more  generous  diet  is  to  be  permitted ;  for 
the  augmentation  of  innate  heat  demands  a 

4 


58  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

callidissimi,  et  somni  longissimi.  In  his 
igitur  temporibus  copiosiora  cibaria  exhi= 
benda  sunt ;  innatum  enim  calorem  majorem 
habent;  ideoque  copiosiore  indigent  ali- 
mento.   Indicio  sunt  states  et  Athletse. 

16.  Victus  humidus,  cum  febricitantibus 
omnibus,  tiim  maxim  e  pueris,  et  alliis  tali 
victu  uti  consuetis,  confert. 

17.  Animadvertendi  sunt  etiam  quibus 
semel,  aut  bis,  et  quibus  plura  vel  pauciora, 
et  per  partes  exhibenda.  Concedendum  au- 
tem  aliquid  et  consuetudini,  et  tempestati, 
et  regioni,  et  setati. 

18.  ^Estate  et  autumno  cibos  difficillime, 
ferunt:  hyeme  facillime  ;  '^einde  vere. 

19.  Quibus  per  circuitus  exacerbantur, 
nihil  dato,  neque  cogito,  sed  de  appositioae 
detrahito  ante  judicationes. 

20.  Quae  judicantur,  et  judicata  sunt  per- 
fecte,  ea  neque  mo  veto,  neque  medicamen- 
tis,  neque  aliis  irritamentis  innovato,  sed 
sinito. 

21.  Quae   ducere   oportet,    quo  maxime 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  59 

more  plentiful  aliment.     This  is  observable 
m  youth,  and  in  the  habits  of  the  Athletse. 


16.  A  moist  aliment  accords  well  with  fe- 
brile constitutions — remarkably  well  with 
children — and  with  all  those  to  whom  use  has 
made  it  essential. 

17.  Note  well  the  constitution,  w^herein 
food  is  [^iaily)  required  either  once,  or  twice 
— in  greater  or  less  quantities,  or  by  a  gra- 
duated allowance.  But  we  are  to  take  into 
consideration   habit,    season,    country,    and 


age. 


18.  In  summer  and  autumn,  digestion  is 
difficult ;  in  winter,  vigorous ;  in  spring,  in*- 
different. 

19.  In  those  diseases  wherein  the  exacer- 
bations  are  periodical,  neither  give  nor  force 
any  thing,  but  let  the  food  be  withdrawn  be- 
fore the  coming  on  of  the  paroxysm. 

20.  When  the  paroxysm  is  well  ascertain- 
ed, do  not  disturb  it  either  by  medicines  or 
any  new  irritation  :  leave  it  to  itself. 

21.  That  which  is  excrementitious,  should 


40  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISM!. 

vergant,  eo  ducenda,  per  convenientia  loca. 

22.  Concocta  piirgare  et  movere  oportet, 
non  cruda ;  neque  in  principiis,  nisi  tur- 
geant ;  piurima  vero  non  turgent. 


23.  Quse  prodeunt  non  copia  sunt  sesti- 
manda,  sed  si  prodeant  qualia  oportet,  et 
facile  ferat.  Et  ubi  ad  animi  deliquium 
ducere  oportet,  id  etiam  faciendum,  si  seger 
sufficiat. 

24.  In  acutis  afFectionibus  raro,  et  per 
initia,  purgantibus  utendum,  idque  diligenti 
prills  adhibita  cautione  faciendum. 

25.  Si,  qualia  purgari  oportet,  purgentuFj 
confert,  et  facile  ferunt;  si  vero  contraria, 
difliculter.* 


*  HIc  e  secundo  dcsumtiis,  ncc  hue  male  adductus,  ctsi  non  ab 
Hippocrate,  ut  puto.     Villebruns, 


APHORISMS   OF   HIPPOCRATES.  41 

be  drawn  off  at  the  point  to  which  it  most 
tends,  by  the  most  convenient  outlets. 

22.  Purgatives  should  be  administered  af- 
ter the  food  on  the  stomach  is  concocted, 
not  while  it  is  yet  crude;  neither  should 
they  be  given  at  the  commencement  of 
disease,  lest  turgescence  ensue  ;  though  the 
latter  rarely  occurs. 

23.  Depletion  is  not  to  be  estimated  by 
its  copiousness,  but  by  its  being  judiciously 
used,  and  easily  supported.  When  it  is  ne- 
cessary to  extend  it  ad  deliquium  animi^  let 
it  be  done,  but  previously  consult  the  re- 
sources of  the  patient. 

24.  In  acute  affections,  and  especially  at 
their  commencement,  purgatives  ought  rarely 
to  be  used,  and  when  permitted,  are  to  be 
administered  with  care. 

25.  If  the  matter  voided  be  of  a  nature 
that  ought  to  be  expelled,  let  the  patient  be 
purged,  for  then,  the  evacuations  are  benefi- 
cial, and  are  easily  supported ;  but  if  the  effect 
be  otherwise,  the  contrary  is  indicated.  (Vide 
Aphor.  2.  Sect.  1.) 

4* 


42  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMr, 


SECTIO  IL 


1.  Quo  in  morbo  somnus  laborem  facit^ 
kthale;  si  vero  somnus  juvet,  non  est 
lethale. 

2.  Ubi  somnus  delerium  sedat,  bonum. 

S.  Somnus,  vigilia,  utraque  modum  ex- 
cedentia,  malum. 

4.  Non  satietas,  non  fames,  neque  aliud 
quicquam  bonum  est,  quod  supra  naturae 
modum  fuerit. 

5.  Lassitudines  sponte  obortae  morbos  de- 
nuntiant. 

6.  Quicumquc  aliqua  corporis  parte  do- 
lentes  dolorem  fere  non  sentiunt,  iis  mens 
aegrotat. 

7.  Attenuata  longo  tempore  corpora  lente 
reficere  oportet ;  quae  vero  brevi,  celeriter. 


8.   Si   a  morbo  quis  cibum  capiens  non 
roboretur,  copiosiore  alimento  corpus  uti  sig- 


APHORISMS   OF   HIPPOCRATES.  43 


SECTION  IL 


i.  In  disease,  a  laborious  sleep  presages 
^  great  danger ;  but  if  the  slumber  be  refresh- 
ing, it  is  favourable. 

2.  When  sleep  sooths  deleriiim,  it  be- 
tokens well. 

3.  Excessive  sleep,  or  wakefulness,  are 
alike  injurious 

4.  Neither  hunger  nor  satiety,  nor  any 
excess  which  oversteps  the  bounds  of  nature 
can  be  beneficial. 

5.  Spontaneous  lassitude  foreshows  dis» 
ease, 

6.  Whosoever  hath  pain  in  any  part  of 
his  body,  without  being  sensible  thereof,  is 
diseased  in  mind. 

7.  Where  the  waste  of  the  body  has  been 
gradual,  it  should  be  gradually  restored; 
where  it  is  rapid,  our  applications  should  be 
prompt. 

8.  If  the  convalescent  acquire  not  strength 
from  the  food  he  takes,  it  shows  that  the  body 


44  HIPFOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

nificat.     Si  vero  cibum  non  capienti  istud 
eveniat,  evacuatione  indigere  sciendum  est* 


9.  Corpora,  ubi  quis  purgare  voluerit,  fa- 
cile fluentia  reddere  oportet. 

10.  Impura  corpora  quo  magis  nutriveris, 
eo  magis  laedes. 

11.  Facilius  est  potu  repkri  quam  cibo. 

12.  Qua5  in  morbis  post  crisim  relin- 
quuntur,  recidivas  facere  solent. 

13.  Qurbus  crisis  fitj  iis  nox  ante  exacer- 
bationem  gravis  est ;  sequens  vero  levior 
plerumque.. 

14.  In  alvi  profluviis  dejectionem  muta- 
tiones  juvant,  nisi  in  prava  mutentur. 

15.  Ubi  fauces  aegrotant,  aut  tubercula 
in  corpore  exoriuntur,  excretiones  inspicere 
oportet ;  si  enim  biliosse  fuerint,  corpus  una 
aegrotat ;  si  vero  similes  sanis  fiant,  corpus 
nutrire  tutum  est. 

16.  Ubi  fames^  non  oportet  laborare. 

17.  Ubi  cibus  prseter  naturam  copiosior 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES,  45 

needs  a  more  plentiful  supply.  But  if  the 
same  effect  arise  from  an  inability  to  partake 
of  food,  it  sufficiently  evinces  the  necessity 
of  purgatives. 

9.  When  it  becomes  necessary  to  purge, 
the  evacuations  ought  to  be  loose  and  free. 

10.  Impure  constitutions^  when  most  nou- 
rished, are  most  injured. 

11.  Liquids  replete  more  easily  than 
solids. 

12.  The  matter  remaining  in  the  body  af- 
ter the  crisis  is  past,  often  produces  a  re- 
lapse. 

13.  The  night  preceding  that  in  which  the 
crisis  takes  place,  is  distressmg ;  that  which 
follows,  is  more  comfortable. 

14.  In  alvine  fluxes,  a  change  in  the  de- 
jections,  unless  they  assume  a  vicious  ap- 
pearance, is  beneficlah 

15.  When  the  fauces  are  affected,  and 
tubercles  arise  therein,  we  ought  to  examine 
the  excretions  ;  when  they  are  of  a  bilious  na- 
ture, the  entire  body  is  affected  ;  but  if  they 
be  as  in  health,  w^e  may  safely  impart  nou- 
rishment- 

16.  Daring  hunger,  labour  is  injurious. 

17.  Excess   of   food    produces    disease^ 


46  HIPPOCRATIS   A  PH  OR  I  SMI. 

ingressus  fuerit,  id  morbum  creat.    Ostendit 
autem  sanatio. 

18.  E  or  urn  quae  confertim  et-  celeriter 
nutriunt,  celeres  etiam  fiunt  egestiones. 

19.  Morborum  acutorum  non  omnino 
tutae  sunt  prsedictiorxes,  neque  mortis,  neque 
sanitatis. 

20.  Quibus,  dum  sunt  juvenes,  alvi  sunt 
humid  V,  iis  senescentibus  siccanfur;  qui- 
bus vero,  dum  sunt  juvenes,  alvi  siecae 
sunt,  his  senescentibus  humectantur. 

21.  Famem  vini  potio  solvit. 

22.  A  repletione  quicumque  fiunt  morbi, 
evacuatione  sanantur-;  et  quicumque  ab  eva- 
cuatione,  repletione  j  sicque  aliorum  con- 
trarietas. 

23.  Acuti  morbi  in  quatuordecim  diebus 
judicantur. 

24.  Septimorum  quartus  est  index^  Al- 
terius  septimanae  octavus  est  initium.  Notan- 
dus  vero  undecimus ;  is  enim  est  quartus 
alterius  septimanae.  Notandus  rursum  de- 
cimus  Septimus :  hie  enim  quartus  est  qui^ 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.  47 

and,  at  the   same  time,  points  out  the  re- 
medy. 

18.  Those  aliments  which  quickly  and 
agregately  nourish,  are  soonest  egested. 

19.  In  acute  diseases,  predictions  of  death 
or  recovery  are  not  always  unerring. 

20.  Those  whose  dejections,  in  youth,  are 
humid,  have  with  them  more  of  siccity  in 
age  ;  but  if,  on  the  contrary,  the  dejections 
have  a  siccity  in  youth,  they  acquire  hu- 
midity with  age. 

21.  A  potion  of  wine  allays  hunger. 

22.  The  sickness  which  arises  from  re- 
pletion, is  cured  by  evacuation ;  and  that 
which  arises  irom  evacuation,  by  repletion. 
Thus  opposites  are  counteractive  of  each 
other. 

23.  Acute  maladies  determine  themselves 
within  fourteen  days. 

24.  The  fourth  day  is  the  index  of  the 
seventh ;  the  eighth,  that  of  the  fourteenth. 
The  eleventh  is  to  be  noted,  as  being  the 
fourth  day  of  the  second  week.  We  are, 
again,  to  notice  the  seventeenth:  it  is  the 


48  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

dem    a  decimo-quarto ;    septimus    vero   ab 
undecimo.* 

25.  Quartange  jestivEe  plemmque  fiunt 
breves  ;  automnales  vero  longas,  et  maxime 
quae  prope  hyemem  inciduiit. 

26.  Febrem  convuisioni  supervenire  me- 
lius est,  quam  convulsionem  febri. 

27.  His  qua?  non  secundiim  rationem  le- 
vant, credere  non  oportet ;  neque  timere 
Vaide  quae  prreter  rationem  prava  Hunt.  Ho- 
rum  enim  multa  inconstantia  sunt,  nee  ad- 
modum  permanere,  neque  durare  solent. 

28.  Eorum  qui  non  omnino  leviter  febri- 
citant,  permanere  et  nihil  remittere  corpus, 
aut  etiam  magis  quam  pro  ratione  colli- 
quefieri,  malum  est.  Illud  enim  morbi  longi- 
tudinem  significat,  hoc  vero  infirmitatem. 


29.  Incipientibus  morbis,  si  quid  moven- 
dum  videatur,  move ;  vigentibus  vero,  qui- 
escere  melius  est.  f 

*  "  The  Ancients  put  too  much  confidence  in  Pythagorick  num- 
bers, whereas,  the  Physician  ought  not  to  number  the  days,  but 
observe  the  exacerbations  themselves."     Gels.  Lib.  iii.  c.  v. 

f  Et  hoc  ctiam  intelligendum  de  motu  e  loco  ad  locum.     Filk. 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  49 

fourth  day,  beginning  with  the  fourteenth, 
and  the  seventh  day,  beginning  with  the 
eleventh. 

25.  Summer  quartans  are,  for  the  most 
part,  short ;  those  of  autumn,  long ;  espe- 
cially when  they  manifest  themselves  at  the 
commencement  of  winter. 

26.  It  is  much  better  that  convulsions 
precede  than  that  they  should  succeed  fever, 

27.  We  should  distrust  an  apparent  fa- 
vourable change  which  cannot  be  accounted 
for :  neither  ought  we  despair  in  those  which^ 
without  anv  reasonable  cause,  are  unfa- 
vourabie ;  for  most  of  these  transitions  are 
uncertain,  transient,  and  variable. 

28.  In  fevers  of  a  serious  aspect,  where 
the  body  remains  stationary  without  suffer- 
ing any  emaciation, — and  also,  in  those  where 
the  waste  is  extreme, — the  appearances  are, 
alike,  unfavourable.  The  former  indicates  a 
protracted  illness — the  latter  an  extreme  de- 
bility. 

29.  In  the  commencement  of  illness,  if 
motion  be  allowable,  the  patient  may  use  it ; 
but  in  the  height  of  the  disorder,  rest  is  es- 
sential. 


FAC 


%^  COLLEGE  I 


so  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISM!. 

30.  Circa  principia  et  fines  omnia  sunt 
debiliora  ;  circa  vigores  vero,  vehementiora. 

31.  A  morbo  belle  comedenti  nihil  pro- 
licere  corpus,  malum  est. 

32.  Ut  plurimiim  omnes  male  habentes^ 
circa  initia  quidem  bene  comedentes,  et 
nihil  proficientes,  ad  finem  rursiis  cibum 
non  appetunt ;  qui  vero  circa  initia  cibos 
fastidiunt,  postea  autem  bene  appetunt,. 
melius  liberantur. 

33.  In  omni  morbo,  mente  valere,  et  bene 
se  habere  ad  ea  quas  oiFerunter,  bonum  est ; 
contrarium  vero,  malum. 

34.  In  morbis  minus  periclitantur  ii  quo- 
rum naturae,  et  setati,  et  habitui,  et  tempori 
magis  cognatus  fuerit  morbus,  quam  ii  qui» 
bus  horura  nulli  similis  fuerit. 

35.  In  omnibus  morbis,  partes  quse  sunt 
ad  umbilicum  et  imum  ventrem,  crassitudi- 
nem  habere  melius  est ;  valde  autem  tenues 
et  eliquatas  esse,  pravum.  Periculosum 
yero  illud  est  etjam  ad  infernas  purgationes. 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  51 

30.  At  the  commencement  and  termina- 
tion of  disease,  all  is  debility — at  its  height^ 
all  is  vigour. 

31.  If  the  convalescent  gain  not  strength^ 
notwithstanding  that  he  eats  well- — it  shows 
unfavourably. 

32.  Almost  all  that  suffer  from  indisposi- 
tion, w^ho  have  at  first  a  good,  but  an  un- 
profitable appetite,  become,  in  the  end,  dis- 
gusted with  food ;  those,  who,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  illness,  loathe  their  victuals, 
afterwards  regain  a  relish  for  it,  and  re- 
establish their  health  soonest. 

33.  In  all  diseases,  if  the  patient  evince  a 
sane  mind,  and  be  well  disposed  to  all  which 
is  offered,  it  is  favourable :  the  contrary  is 
unfavourable. 

34.  If  the  disease  be  peculiar  to  the  age, 
constitution  and  habits  of  the  patient,  and 
also  to  the  season  in  which  it  occurs,  it  is 
less  dangerous  than  that  wherein  the  circum- 
stances are  different. 

35.  In  all  diseases  in  which  the  umbilical 
and  hypogastric  regions  maintain  their  usual 
plumpness,  it  is  favourable ;  but  if  they  be- 
come flaccid  and  emaciated,  it  is  otherwise  ; 
the  latter  is  the  more  dangerous  when  ac- 
eompanied  with  diarrhoea. 


52  HIPPOCRAXrS  APHORISMI. 

36.  Qui  Sana  habent  corpora,  pharmacis 
purgati  citd  ex  solvuntur,  ut  et  qui  pravo 
utuntur  cibo. 

37.  Qui  bene  valent  corporc,  purgatu 
sunt  difficiles. 

38.  Paulo  deterior  et  potus  et  cibus,  ju- 
cundior  autem,  eligendus  potius  quam  me- 
liores  quidem,  sed  ingratiores. 

39.  Senes  ut  plurimum  quidem  juvenibus 
minus  asgrotant ;  quicumque  vero  ipsis  mor- 
bi,^,ti^t  diuturni,  pierumqu^commoriuntur. 

40.  Raucedines  et  gravedines  in  valde 
senibus  non  coquunfur, 

41.  Qui  ssepe  et  vehementer,  citra  rnani- 
festam  causam,  animo  iinquuntur,  ex  im» 
proviso  moriuntur. 

42.  Solvere  apoplexiam,  vehementem  qui- 
dem, impossibile  :  debilem  vero,  non  facile, 

43.  Ex  strangulatis  et  dissolutis,  necdimi 
mortuis,  ii  non  se  recoUigunt,  quibus  spuma 
circa  os  fuerit. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.  5o 

36»  They  whose  constitutions  are  healthy, 
are  as  speedily  broken  down  by  purgatives, 
as  those  who  use  an  unwholesome  diet. 

37.  With  those  who  enjoy  bodily  health, 
purgatives  do  not  easily  operate. 

38.  Those  aliments  which  are  grateful, 
although  somewhat  objectionable,  are  to  be 
preferred  to  those  which  are  more  whole- 
some, yet  less  grateful. 

39.  The  aged  are,  for  the  most  part,  less 
disposed  to  fall  into  disease  than  the  young ; 
but,  with  them,  protracted  diseases  generally 
prove  fatal. 

40.  Catarrh  and  coryza,  in  those  who 
are  much  advanced  in  age,  do  not  attain 
concoction. 

41.  Those  who  frequently  and  suddenly, 
without  any  apparent  cause,  fall  into  as- 
phyxia, are  suddenly  taken  off. 

42.  In  violent  fits  of  apoplexy,  relief  is 
impossible ;  in  those  of  a  lighter  nature, 
difficult. 

43.  Those  who  are  suffocated,  and  those 
who  have  all  the  appearances  of  dissolution, 
without  being  really  dead,  are  never  resus- 
citated, when  they  have  a  froth  surrounding 
the  mouth. 

5*- 


54  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

44.  Qui  natura  valde  crassi  sunt,  magis 
subito  moriuntur,  qiiam  qui  graciles. 

45.  Epilepticis  pueris,  mutationes,  max- 
ime  aetatis,  et  regionum,  et  vitas,  liberationem 
faciunt. 

46'.  ^Duobus  doloribus  simul  obortis,  non 
in  eodem  loco,  vehementior  obscurat  aL 
terum. 

47.  Circa  puris  generationes,  dolores  et 
febres  magis  accidunt,  quam  ipso  facto, 

48.  In  omni  corporis  motu,  quando  dolere 
coeperit,  interquiescere,  statim  lassitudinem 
curat. 

49.  Qui  solitos  iabores  ferre  consueve- 
srunt,  etiamsi  debiles  fuerint  aut  senes,  in- 
suetis  robustis  licet  et  juvenibus,  facilius 
ferunt. 

50.  A  iongo  tempore  consueta,  etiamsi 
fuerint  deteriora,  insuetis  minus  turbare  so- 
tent;  oportet  egitur  etiam  ad  insolita  se 
vertereo 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  55 

44.  Those  who  are,  by  nature,  very  cor- 
pulent, expire  more  suddenly  than  those 
who  have  a  spare  habit. 

45.  Epilepsy  in  children  is  removed  by, 
changes  ;*  especially  by  those  of  age,  climatej 
and  mode  of  living. 

46.  Two  painful  sensations  arising  at  the 
same  time,  though  not  in  the  same  place, 
the  greater  obscures  the  less. 

47.  When  pus  is  about  forming,  there 
is  greater  pain  than  when  suppuration  is 
complete. 

48.  If  pain  ensue  from  bodily  motion^,  in- 
termit ;  rest  is  the  onlv  cure. 

49.  The  aged,  and  even  the  weak,  who 
are  inured  to  labour,  bear  it  more  easily 
than  the  young  and  robust  w^ho  are  not  ha- 
bituated to  it. 

50.  Long  accustomed  and  even  vicious 
habits  are  less  hurtful,  than  those  which  are 
in  themselves  preferable,  but  to  which  we 
are  unaccustomed  ;  we  ought,  therefore,  gra- 
dually to  adopt  the  latter. 

*  This  translation  is  literal,  and,,  we  believe,  conveys  the  exact 
sense  of  the  original;  vide  Af.  (j^h.  TM.  jS.  The  French  Trans- 
lator renders  it  somewhat  different.  Tff.^u^Mu.roi  ^«."kXav^  "  phis 
exposes  aux  morts.'' 


56  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

51.  Multiim  et  derepente  vacuare,  aiit 
replere,  aut  calefacere,  aut  frigefacere,  aut 
alio  quocunqiie  modo  corpus  movere,  peri- 
culosum  est :  Omne  siquidem  multum  na- 
turae inimicum.  Quod  vero  paulatim  fit 
tutum  est ;  turn  alias,  tiim  si  quis  ex  altero 
ad  alterum  transeat. 

52.  Omnia  secundum  rationem  facienti, 
et  non  secundiim  rationem  evenientibus,  non 
ad  aliud  transeundum^  manente  eo  quod  ab 
initio  visum  est. 

53»  Quicunque  alvos  habent  humidas. 
dum  quidem  juvenes  sunt,  melius  liberantur 
his  qui  siccas  habent.  Ad  senectutem  vero, 
pejus  liberantur ;  siccantur  enim  ut  pluri- 
mum  alvi  senescentibus. 

54.  Procero  corpore  juventutem  quidem 
degere,  liberale  est,  nee  deforme :  insenescere 
veroj  inconimodum,  et  parvis  deterius. 


APHORISMS   OF   HIPPOCRATES.  57 

51.  Evacuation,  repletion,  refrigeration 
and  calefaction — these  or  any  other  corres- 
pondent modifications  of  body,  when  ex- 
cessive, or  too  suddenly  accompiished,  are 
dangerous, — nature  being  ever  opposed  to 
extremes.  That  which  is  g-raduallv  done? 
is  safely  done,  whether  we  pass  from  one 
extreme  to  another,  or  otherwise. 

52.  Every  thing  which  is  judicious  being 
done,  without  success,  we  are  not,  therefore, 
to  recede  from  our  plan,  while  we  still  en- 
tertain the  same  views  as  we  did  at  first. 

S'^,  Those  who  have  hismid  dejections, 
when  young,  are  sooner  released  from  illness 
than  those  with  whom  they  are  arid  ;  old 
men  do  not  fare  so  well,  because  the  alvine 
excretions  in  age  are  generally  dry. 

54.  An  erect  body  accords  well  with 
youth,  and  is  both  proper  and  graceful ;  but 
it  is  inconvenient  in  age,  and  becomes  it 
less  than  a  more  humble  carriage. 


58  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISM!» 


SECTIO  IIL* 


1.  Mutationes  anni  temporum  maxime 
pariunt  morbos  ;  et  in  ipsis  temporibus  mu- 
tationes magnte  tiim  frigoris  tiini  caloris,  et 
csetera  pro  ratione  eodem  modo. 

2.  Naturarum  alise  quidem  ad  sestatem, 
alise  vero  ad  hyemem  bene  aut  male  con- 
stitutas  sunt. 

3.  Morborum  alii  ad  alios  bene  aut  male 
se  habent ;  et  states  qujedam  ad  tempora^ 
et  regiones,  et  victus. 

4.  In  temporibus,  quandp  eadem  die  modo 

*  In  this  section  the  author  treats  of  the  seasons,  their  peculiar 
modifications  as  affecting  the  constitutions  of  health  and  disease, 
and  as  predisposing  to  peculiar  maladies.  That  we  may  the  better 
understand  his  division  of  the  year,  we  shall  here  subjoin  a  transla- 
tion from  Riegerus.  (Vide  Gaien.  Aph.  15.  Sect.  3.)  "The 
ancient  Hippocratic  Physicians  distinguished  four  seasons :  i.  Springy 
commencing  from  the  equinox  and  extending  to  the  rising  of 
the  Pleiades,  i.  e.  the  last  of  April,  which  space  does  not  compre- 
hend two  months.  2.  Smnmer^  commencing  from  the  rising  of 
the  Pleiades,  and  which   consisted   of  two  parts,  the   first  called 


APHORISMS   OF  HIPPOCRATES.  59 


SECTION  III. 


1.  The  mutations  of  seasons  are  greatljr 
productive   of    diseases ;    and    those    great 
changes    of  heat  and   cold  which   occur  at 
their  stated  periods,  act,    from  similar  rea- 
sons, in  the  same  manner. 

2.  There  are  some  constitutions  which 
summer  either  improves  or  injures,  and 
others  again  on  which  winter  produces  si- 
milar effects. 

3.  Some  diseases  accord  better  with  some 
constitutions  than  others  ;  and  this  also  ob- 
tains with  certain  ages,  as  connected  with 
season,  climate,  and  aliment. 

4.  In  the  various  seasons,  if  cold  and  heat. 


M^a  extending  to  the  rising  of  Arcturus ;  the  latter,  a/^o^a,  from 
the  rising  to  the  setting  of  Arcturus;  so  that  the  summer  con- 
fflsted  in  all  of  four  months;  i.e.  from  the  latter  end  of  April  to 
the  beginning  of  September.  Autumn  commenced  with  the  setting 
of  Arcturus,  and  is  finished  with  the  falling  of  the  Pleiades,  which 
time  comprehends  September  and  October.  Here  Winter  com- 
menced, which  consisted  of  more  than  four  months,  and  was 
divided  into  three  part*;  i.  from  the  first  of  November  to  the 
winter  solstice;  a.  comprehended  the  winter  solstice;  3.  ex- 
tended to  the  rernal  equinox." 


60  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

calor,  modo  frigus  fit,  autumnales   morbos 
exspectare  oportet. 

5.  Austri  auditum  gravantes,  caliginosi, 
caput  gravantes,  segnes,  dissolventes.  Ciim 
hie  dominatum  tenucrit,  talia  in  morbis  pa- 
tiuntur.  Si  vero  acquilonium  fuerit,  tusses, 
fauces  asperse,  alvi  durae,  urinas  difficultates, 
horrores,  dolores  costarum,  pectorum.  Ciim 
sic  invaluerit,  talia  in  morbis  exspectare 
oportet* 


6.  Quando  ^stas  veri  similis  est,  sudores 
in  febribus  multos  exspectare  oportet. 

7.  In  siccitatibus  febres  acutss  fiunt.  Et 
si  quidem  annus  majore  ex  parte  talis  fuerit, 
qualem  fecit  constitutionem,  ut  plurimiim 
tales  etiam  morbos  exspectare  oportet, 

8.  In  constantibus  temporibus,  si  tern- 
pestiva  tempestive  reddantur,  constantes  et 
judicatu  faciles  fuint  morbi :  in  inconstan- 
tibus  autera,  inconstantes,  et  judicatu  diffi- 
ciies» 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  61 

frequently  alternate  with  each  other  in  the 
same  day,  we  must  look  forward  to  au« 
tumnal  diseases* 

5.  The  south  wind  produces  thickness  of 
hearing,  dimness  of  sight,  heaviness  of  head,^ 
and  is,  on  the  whole,  oppressive  and  relax- 
ing ;  srich  are  the  effects  in  sickness,  during 
the  prevalence  of  such  winds.  That  from; 
the  north,  brings  with  it  coughs,  sore  throats^ 
dysury,  constipation,  shiverings,  and  pains 
of  the  side  and  breast :  these  are  the  symp- 
toms which  take  place  in  sickness  when  this 
wind  holds  dominion, 

6.  When  summer  takes  upon  itself  the 
character  of  spring,  we  are  to  expect  much, 
perspiration  in  fevers. 

7-  In  long  droughts,  fevers  assume  as 
acute  type;  and  if  the  year  be,  for  the  greater 
part,  dry,  it  is  so  very  apt  to  bring  about 
such  a  febrile  character,  that  we  are,  in  ge=* 
neral,  to  expect  it. 

8.  Where  the  seasons  are  constant  and 
regular,  diseases  assume  an  uniform  aspectg 
and  are  easilv  ascertained ;  but  where  the 
seasons  are  irregular,  the  diseases  are  als» 
irregular,  and  are  with  difficulty  understood«. 

6 


62  HIPPOCRATXS  APHORISMI. 

9.  In  autumno  morbi  acutissimi,  et  max- 
ime  exitiales:  ver  autem  saluberrimum,  et 
minime  lethale. 

10.  Autumnus  tabidis  malus. 

11.  Quod  ad  anni  tempora,  siquidem 
hyems  sicca  et  aquilonia  fuerit,  ver  autem 
pluviosum  et  australe,  aestate  necesse  est  fe- 
bres  acutas  oriri,  et  ophthalmias,  et  dysen- 
terias,  maxime  autem  muiieribus,  et  viris 
natura  humidis. 


12.  Si  vero  hyems  australis  et  pluviosaj 
et  placida  fuerit,  ver  autem  siccum  et  aqui- 
lonium,  mulieres  quidem,  quibos  partus  in 
ver  incidit,  ex  quitvis  occasione  abortiunt : 
qu^  vero  pepererint,  infirmos  et  morbosos 
pariunt  pueros,  ita  ut  vel  statim  pereant,  vel 
tenues  et  valetudinarii  vivant,  Cseteris  vero 
mortalibus  dysenterise  et  ophthalmiae  siccse 
oriuntur ;  senioribus  autem  catarrhi  brevi 
perimentes. 


13.  Si  vero  sestas  sicca,  et  aquilonia  fiat, 
autumnus  autem  pluviosus  et  australis,  ca- 
pitis dolores  ad  hyemem  fiunt,  et  tusses,  et 


APHOEISMS   OF   HIPPOCRATES.  63 

9.  In  autumn,  diseases  are  most  acute,  and 
are  extremely  fatal ;  the  spring  is,  in  general, 
very  healthy  and  diseases  are  then  less   fatal. 

10.  Autumn  is  injurious  to  phthisis. 

11.  As  it  respects  the  seasons, — if  a  dry 
winter,  attended  with  northern  winds,  be  fol- 
lowed by  a  wet  spring,  and  a  prevalence  of 
southern  winds,  it  must  necessarily  follow, 
that  the  summer  will  produce  acute  fevers, 
ophthalmia,  and  dysentery,  and  thesf.  more 
especially,  with  women,  and  men  of  a  lax 
fibre, 

12.  If  the  whiter  be  austral  and  rainy, 
but  otherwise  calm,  and  the  spring  dry  and 
boreal,  wcmen  who  expect  to  bring  forth  in 
the  spring,  miscarry  from  the  slightest 
causes;  and  even  those  who  go  their  full 
time,  brijig  forth  weak  and  sickly  children, 
w^ho  eitiier  immediately  perish  or  linger  on, 
through  life,  infirm  and  emaciated.  Other 
maladies  resulting  from  this  disposition  of 
the  seasons,  are  those  of  ophthalmia  and 
dry  dysentery  ;- — the  aged  generally  dying  of 
violent  catairhs. 

13.  But  if,  indeed,  the  summer  be  dry 
and  boreal,  and  the  autumn  wet  and  austral, 
there   arise,   in  winter,   cephalalgia,    coughs 


64  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

raucedines,   et  gravedines  ;  nonnuilis   etiam 
et  tabes. 

14.  Si  vero  aquilonius  et  sine  pluviis 
fuerit  aiitumnus,  iis  quidem  qui  natum  sunt 
liumidi,  et  mulieribus,  commodus  erit ;  re- 
liquis  vero  ophthalmias  erunt  siccae,  et  fe- 
bres  acutae,  et  diuturniB  gravedines ;  qui- 
busdam  vero  et  meiancholige. 

15.  Ex  anni  vero  constitutionibus,  in  uni» 
yersum  quidem  siccitates  pluviosis  sunt  sa« 
lubrioresj  et  miniis  lethales. 

16.  Morbi  autem  in  pluviosis  quidem  ple- 
rumque  fiunt,  et  febres  longae,  et  alvi 
lluxiones,  et  putredmes,  et  epiieptici,  et  apo- 
plectici  et  anginae :  in  siccitatibus  vero  ta- 
bidi,  ophthalmiae,  arthritides,  urin3e  stillici^ 
dia,  et  dysenteriae. 

17.  Quotidian3£'  autem  constitutiones,  aqui- 
lonise  quidem  corpora  compingunt,  et  ro- 
busta^  et  facile  m^)bilia,  et  bene  colorata,  et 
melius  audientia  faciunt,  alvos  etiam  sic- 
cant,  et  oculos  mordent ;  et  dolorem  circa 
thoracem,  si  quis  praeexistat,  majorem  fa-» 
ciiint.  Austrinas  vero  corpora  dissolvunt, 
iiumectant,  et  auditus  graves,  et  capitis  gra- 


APHORISMS   OF   HIPPOCRATES.  6B 

hoarseness,  and  coryza ;  and  also  some  cases 
of  phthisis. 

14.  If  the  autumn  be  dry  and  boreal,, 
those  who  are  by  nature  of  a  humid  consti- 
tution, as  also  women,  will  generally  enjoy 
good  health ;  those  of  different  constitu- 
tions will  be  afflicted  with  dry  ophthalmia, 
acute  fevers,  and  obstinate  coryzas ;  and 
some  will  be  affected  with  melancholia. 

15.  As  it  regards  the  general  constitution 
of  the  year,— droughts  are.  for  the  most  part^^ 
more  healthy,  and  are  less  attended  with  dis- 
ease, than  excessive  rains. 

16.  The  diseases  which  attcud  on  exces- 
sive rains,  are,  for  the  most  part,  protract- 
ed fever,  diarrhoea,  putrefaction,  epilepsy,, 
apoplexy  and  angina ;  those  which  arise 
from  long  droughts,  are  tabes,  ophthalmia^ 
gout,  dysuria  and  dysentery. 

17.  Next,  as  to  the  quotidian  eonstitution 
of  the  atmosphere, — -we  observe  that  northern 
winds  serve  to  brace  the  body,  rendering  it 
strong,  agile  and  florid,  and  giving  great  faci^ 
lity  of  hearing, — although,  at  the  same  time, 
it  produces  constipation  of  the  bowels,  and  in- 
flammation of  the  eyes  ;  and,  where  a  predis- 
position to  pectoral  disease  exists^  it  tends. 

6^- 


HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISM!» 

Yitates  faciunt,  et  vertigines  in  oculis,  et 
corporibus  motum  difficilem,  et  alvos  hu- 
mectantc 


S8.  Secundimi  tempora  autem,  vere  qui» 
dem, .  et  prima  aestate,  pueri,  et  his  eetate 
prokimi,  optime  degunt,  et  maxime  sani 
sunt,  instate  vero,  et  parte  quadam  aii^ 
tiimni,  senes.  Reliquo  sed  autumno^  et 
liyeme,  qui  medii  sunt  aetate. 


19.  Morbi  autem  quilibet  fiunt  quidem 
in  quibus  libet  anni  temporibus ;  nonnulli 
vero  in  quibusdam  ipsorum  potius  et  fiunt, 
et  exacerbantur. 

20.  Vere  quidem^  insania?,  et  melancho- 
liae,  et  epilepsias,  et  sanguinis  lluxiones,  et 
anginae^et  gravedines,  et  raucedines,  et  tusses^ 
et  leprae,  et  impetigines,  et  vitiligines,  et  pus- 
tular ulcerosae  plurimce,  et  tubercula,  et  ar- 
ticulorum  dolores» 

21.  iEstate  vero,  et  horum  nonnulla,  et 
febres  continuae,  et  ardentes,  et  tertian ae 
plurimse,  et  quartafi^e,   et  vomitus^  et  alvi 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  67 

to  aggravate  it.  Southern  winds,  on  the 
other  hand,  produce  lassitude  and  humi- 
dity of  body,  render  the  hearing  thick, 
the  head  heavy,  and  impart  dizziness  of 
sight,  sluggishness  of  body,  and  laxity  of 
bowels. 

18.  In  the  succession  of  seasons — the 
spring  and  beginning  of  summer  are  ge- 
nerally favourable  to  children,  and  those  ap- 
proximating to  youth,  who  then  enjoy  excel- 
lent health.  The  summer  and  early  part  of 
autumn  agree  well  with  the  aged ;  but  with 
those  of  a  middle  age,  the  wniter  and  latter 
part  of  autumn  appear  to  suit  best. 

19.  Although  diseases  occur  at  various 
periods  of  the  year,  yet  there  are  peculiar 
diseases,  which  appear,  and  seem  most  to  pre^ 
vail,  at  peculiar  seasons. 

20.  The  spring  is  frequently  attended 
with  mania,  melancholia,  epilepsy,  hemor- 
rhage, angina,  defiuxions  of  the  head, 
hoarseness,  cough,  leprosy,  cutaneous  affec- 
tions, white  leprosy,^  ulcerative  pustules, 
tubercles,  and  arthritic  pains. 

21.  The  summer,  besides  many  of  the 
above  affections,  is  attended  with  continued 

*-  We  have  here   followed   Coxe's  definition  of  FHiligo.    Vide. 
Med.  Diet. 


G8  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISM!. 

fiuxuSj  et  ophthalmice,  et  auriom  dolores,  et 
oris  exulcerationes,  et  pudendorum  putre- 
dines,  et  sudamiaa.* 


22.  Autumno  autem,  et  ex  sestivis  multay. 
et  febres  quartans,  et  erraticas,  et  lienes,  et 
hydiopes,  et  tabes,  et  urin^  stiilicidia,  et 
lienterise,  et  dysenterise,  et  coxae  dolores,  et 
angina,  et  asthmata,  et  volvuli,  et  epilepsic^y 
et  insani  e,  et  melancholia. 

23.  Hyenie  vero,  pleuritides,  peripneu- 
moniae, lethargi,  gravedines,  raucedines,  tus- 
ses,  dolores  pectorum,  et  laterum,  et  lum- 
borum,  et  capitis  dolores,  vertigines,  apo- 
plexicc. 

24.  In  setatibus  aiitem  talia  eveniunt.  Par^ 
vis  quidem  et  recens  natis  pueris  aphthsSj, 
vomitus,  tusses,  vigilise,  pavores,  umbilici 
inflammationes,  aurium  humiditates. 

25.  Ad  dentitionem  vero  accedentibus  gin- 
«ivarum  pruritus,  febres,  convulsiones,  alvi 
profluvia ;    et  maxime   ubi   caninos   dentes 


Sttdanaina,  hydros,    Vide  Coxe*s  Med.  ."DkU-. 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  69 

and  inflammatory  fevers,  frequent  tertians 
and  quartans,  aivine  fluxes,  spontaneous 
vomitings,  ophthalmia,  otalgia,  ulcerations 
of  the  mouth,  putrid  affections  of  the  geni- 
tals, and  miliary  eruptions. 

22.  Autumn,  with  many  of  the  diseases 
of  summer,  has,  also,  quartan  and  erratic 
fevers,  spleen,  dropsy,  tabes,  strangury,  lien- 
tery,  dysentery,  sciatica,  angina,  asthma,  iliac 
passion,  epilepsy,  insania  and  melancholia. 

23.  In  winter  there  arise  pleurisy,  pe- 
ripneumony,  lethargy,  catarrh,  hoarseness, 
cough,  pains  of  the  breast,  side,  loins  and 
head,  vertigo  and  apupiv  xy, 

24.*  The  following  diseases  obtain  with 
different  ages  :  'witk  early  infancy^ — aphth^^ 
vomiting,  cough,  v>^atchfulness,  terrors,  um- 
bilical inflammation,  and  humidity  of  the 
ears. 

25.  At  the  commencement  of  dentition, 
there  arise  irritation  of  the  gums,  fevers, 
convulsions  and  diarrhoea  ; — -these,  more  es- 
pecially, take  place  on  the  appearance  of  the 

*  This,  and  the  seven  following  Aphorisms,  treat  of  the  va- 
rious diseases  to  which  the  several  periods  of  life  are  peculiarly 
predisposed. 


70  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

producunt,  et  ils  qui  inter  pueros  sunt  eras- 
sissimi,  et  qui  alvos  duras  habent. 

26.  lis  autem  qui  aetate  sunt  majores,  ton- 
sillse  inflammatae,  vtrticuli  in  occipitio  in- 
trorsum  extrlisiones,  asthmata,  calciilorum 
generationes,  iumbrici  rotundi,  ascarides, 
verrucae  pens' les,  satyriasmi.  (strangurias,) 
strumas,  et  csetera  tuber cuia,  maxime  vero 
suprct  dicta. 

27.  iEtate  vero  adhuc  provectioribus,  et 
jam  ad  pubertatem  progressis,  horum  qui- 
dem  multa,  et  febres  diuturn^,  et  ex  nari- 
bus  sanguinis  fiuxiones. 

28.  Plurim£8  quidem  affect'ones  in  pueris 
judicantur,  aii^  in  quadraginta  diebus,  al- 
iae  in  septem  mensibus,  alis  in  septem  annisj 
alise  ipsib  ad  pubertatem  accedentibus.  Quae 
vero  in  pueris  permanserint,  neque  solutae 
fuerint  circa  pubertatem,  aut  in  ioeminis  circa 
menstruorum  eruptiones,  diu  perseverare  so- 
lent. 


29,  Juvenibus  autem,  sanguinis  spuitiones^ 
tabes,  febres  acutae,  epilepsiae,  et  caeteri  mor-^ 
bij  maxime  vero  supra  nominati. 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  71 

canine  teeth,  and  are  aggravated  in  those 
children  who  are  of  a  gross  constitution,  and, 
also,  in  those  of  a  constipated  habii". 

26.  A  more  advanced  age  is  attended  with 
tonsillary  inflammation,  exostosis  within  the 
occipital  vertebra,  asthma,  calculus,  lum- 
brici,  ascarides,  pensile  worts,  satyriasis, 
strangury,  scrophula,  and  other  tumours, 
specified,  for  the  most  part,  above. 

27.  Still  advancing  onward,  until  we  ar- 
rive at  puberty,  we  observe  that  with  most 
of  the  above  diseases,  are  joined  protracted 
fevers,  and  nasal  hemorrhages.  (Vide  note, 
p.  69.) 

28.  Most  of  the  diseases  of  children  mani» 
fest  themselves  within  forty  days  ;  others  in 
seven  months :  the  former  determine  them- 
selves  in  seven  years  ;  the  latter  frequently 
extend  to  puberty.  But  those  which  con- 
tinue during  childhood,  and  which  do  not 
arrive  at  a  crisis  with  puberty,  or  (in  fe- 
males) with  the  first  appearance  of  the 
menses,  are  apt  to  assume  a  permanent  and 
chronic  character. 

29.  Those  who  have  attained  puberty,  are 
subject  to  sanguineous  expectorations,  tabes, 
acute  fevers,  epilepsies,  and  many  other  af- 
fections, but  more  particularly  the  above. 


72  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

SO.  Ultra  banc  setatem  vero  progressis, 
asthmata,  pieuritides,  peripneumoniae,  lethar- 
gi,  phrenitides,  febres  ardentes,  alvi  proflu- 
via  diuturna,  cholerse,  dysenteriae,  lienterisSj 
haemorrhoides. 

31.  Senibus  autem,  spiraiidi  difficultatesj 
catarrh!  tussiculosi,  stranguriee,  dysurise,  ar- 
ticulorum  doiores,  nephritides,  vertigines^ 
apoplexi^,  mali  corporis  habitus,  pruritus 
totius  corporis,  vigilise,  alvi,  et  oculorum, 
et  narium  humiditates,  visus  habetudines, 
glaucedines,  auditus  gravitates. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES»  73 


30.  As  we  proceed  onward  (till  ive  ar- 
rive at  the  climacteric  point) — asthma,  pleu- 
risy, peripneumony,  lethargy,  phrenitis,  ar^ 
dent  fever,  chronic  diarrhoea,  cholera,  dy» 
sentery,  lientery  and  hsemorrhoides» 

31.  Age  brings  with  it  dyspnoea,  catarrhal 
affections,  strangury,  dysury,  painful  articu«= 
lation  (of  the  joints)'^  likewise,  nephritis^ 
vertigo,  apoplexy,  cachexy ;  as  also,  itch,  af- 
fecting the  whole  body,  watchfulness,  humi- 
dity of  stomach,  eyes  and  nose,  dimness  of 
sight,  cataract,  and  diffiulty  of  hearing.* 

*  See  note.  Sect.  I.  Apor.13. 


74  HIPPOCRATXS  APHORISMI 


SECTIO  IV, 


1.  Pr^gnantes  purgandse,  si  materia  tur- 
geat,  quadrimestres,  et  usque  ad  septimum 
mensem :  hse  vero  minus.  Juniores  autem^ 
et  seniores  foetus,  caute  vitare  oportet. 


2.  In  purgationibus  talia  e  corpore  sunt 
ducenda,  qualia  etiam  sponte  prodeuntia 
utilia  sunt :  contrario  autem  modo  prodeun- 
tia, sistenda. 

3.  Si  quidem  qualia  purgari  oportet,  pur= 
gentur,  confert,  et  facile  ferunt :  contraria 
vero,  difficulter. 

4.  Purgandum,  aestate  quidem,  magis  su« 
periores  ventres ;  hyeme  vero,  inferiores» 

5.  Sub  cane,  et  ante  canem,  difficiks  sunt> 
purgationes. 

6.  Graciles,  et  facile  vomentes,  sursam 
purgandi,  vitantes  hyemem. 


APHORISMS   OF  HIPPOCRATES.  75 


SECTION  IV. 


1.  If  there  be  much  turgescence  in  preg- 
nant women,  they  may  be  purged  from  the 
fourth  to  the  seventh  month  ;  though  seldom 
extending  to  the  latter  period.  We  should 
carefully  avoid  injuring  the  very  young,  or 
the  more  advanced  foetus. 

2.  In  purgations— such  matter  is  to  be 
eliminated  from  the  body,  whose  sponta- 
neous expulsion  appears  to  be  beneficial: 
but  if  the  latter  produce  a  contrary  effect, 
we  are  not  to  have  recourse  to  it. 

3.  Vide  Aphor.  25.  Sect.  1. 


4.  In  summer,  we  should  prefer  evacuating 
the  stomach  upwards ;  in  winter,  down- 
wards. 

5.  Preceding  and  during  the  canicular 
period,  purgatives  are  with  difficulty  sup- 
ported. 

6.  When  the  delicate  easily  bear  vomiting, 
they  may  have  recourse  to  it ;  but  they  are 
to  avoid  it  in  winter. 


^b  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISM!. 

7.  Difficulter,  autem  vomentes,  et  medio- 
criter  carnosi,  deorsiim,  vitantes  sestatem. 


8.  Tabidi  vero,  vitantes  (purgationes) 
siirsum. 

9.  Melancholicos  autem,  uberius  deor- 
sumpurgabis.     Eadem  ratione^  coiitraria  ad* 

hibens. 

10.  Purgandum  in  valde  acutis,  si  tur« 
geat  materia,  e^Idem  die  ;  morari  enim  in  ta- 
libus  malum  est. 

11.  Quibus  tormina,  et  circa  umbilicum 
dolores,  et  lumborum  dolor,  qui  neque  pur- 
gante,  neque  aliter  solvitur,  in  hydropem 
siccum  firmatur. 

12.  Quibus  alvi  sunt  lientericge,  eos  hyeme 
sursum  purgare,  malum.  ^ 

13.  Ad  elleboros,  qui  non  facile  sursiim 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  77 

7.  But  with  those  with  whom  vomiting 
does  not  well  agree,  and  who  are  inclined  to 
fulness  of  habit,  it  is,  particularly,  to  be 
avoided  during  the  winter  season.  '^ 

8.  Those  suffering  from  phthisis  should 
avoid  vomits. 

9.  The  melancholic  should  be  copiously 
evacuated  downwards ;  and,  from  the  same 
principle  of  reasoning,  those  of  a  contrary 
temperament  should  be  differently  treated. 

10.-  In  very  acute  affections,  attended  with 
turgescence,  purgatives  are  immediately  to 
be  used :  to  procrastinate  here,  is  dan- 
gerous. 

11.  Those  w^ho  are  tormented  with  severe 
gripings,  pains  about  the  umbilicus,  and  in 
the  region  of  the  loins,  and  who  are  neither 
relieved  by  purgatives,  or  any  other  means^ 
usually  fall  into  tympanites.* 

12.  It  is  dangerous  to  vomit  those  whose 
evacuations  are  lienteric,  especially  in  win- 
ter. 

13.  Those  who  are  not  easily  vomited  by 

*  The  Latin  version,  both  of  Verhoofd  and  Villebrune,  literally 
fbUows  the  original ;  but  we  are  disposed,  here,  to  regard  the 
spirit  rather  than  the  letter  of  the  Author.  We  have,  therefore, 
j'Cndered  ut^w^»  '^vfov^'tympanites. 

7* 


78  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI, 

purgantur,  iis  ante  potionem  corpora  prae- 
humectanda,  copiosiore  alimento,  et  quiete. 

14.  Ubi  biberit  quis  elleborum,  ad  mo- 
tiones  quidem  corporum  magis  ducito :  ad 
somnos  vero,  et  quietem,  minus.  Declarat 
autem  etiam  navigatio,  quod  motus  turbat 
corpora. 

15.  Quando  vis  magis  ducere  elleborum, 
moveto  corpus :  quando  vero  cessare,  som- 
iium  facito,  et  non  moveto. 

16.  Llleborus  periculosus  est  sanas  car- 
lies  habentibus  :  convulsionem  enim  inducit. 

17.  Non  febricitanti  appetitus  dejectiis,  et 
oris  ventriciili  morsus,  et  tenebricosa  ver- 
tigo, et  OS  amarescensj  sursum  purgante 
opus  esse,  indicat. 


18.  Supra  septum  transversum  doloresp 
qui  purgatione  egent,  sursum  purgante  opus 
esse  indicant ;  qui  vero  infra,  deorsum. 

19,  Qui  in  purgantium  potionibus    pen 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES,  79 

hellebore,  should,  previous  to  taking  it,  re- 
fresh the  system  by  rest  and  a  more  copious 
aliment. 

14.  Motion  of  body  favours  the  action 
of  hellebore  ;  rest  and  sleep  render  it  less 
active.  The  eft'ect  of  sailing  is  an  instance 
of  the  influence  of  motion  on  the  body, 

15.  When  it  becomes  necessary  to  assist 
the  action  of  hellebore — have  recourse  to 
motion :  when  we  wish  to  lessen  it,  endeavour 
to  promote  quiet  and  sleep. 

16.  To  those  who  are  sound  of  body, 
hellebore  is  dangerous,  and  has  a  tendency 
to  induce  convulsions. 

17.  Want  of  appetite,  uneasy  sensation 
of  the  upper  orifice  of  the  stomach,  attended 
with  vertigo  and  obscure  vision,  and  bitter- 
ness of  mouth ;  all  these  symptoms  existing, 
without  the  presence  of  fever,  indicate  the 
necessity  of  vomiting. 

18.  If  there  be  pain  immediately  above 
or  beloiv  the  diaphragm,  wherein  evacuation 
is  essential ;  the  former  demands  vomiting, 
the  latter,  purging. 

19.  Those  who  during  the  operation  Qf 


80  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

sitiunt,  diim  purgantur,  non  cessant,  prius- 
quam  sitiverint. 

20.  Non  febricitantibus  si  fiat  tormen,  et 
genum  gravitas,  et  iumborum  dolor,  deorsum 
purgante  opus  esse  indicat. 

21.  Dejectiones  nigrae,  qnalis  sanguis 
niger,  sponte  prodeuntes,  et  cum  febre,  et 
sine  febre,  pessimae  \  et,  quanto  colores  de- 
jectionum  piures  fuerint  pejores,  eo  deterius  ; 
cum  purgante  vero,  melius ;  et  quanto  co- 
lores piures  non  mali  sunt. 


22.  Morbis  quibus  vis  incipientibus,  si 
bilis  atra,  vel  sursum,  vel  deorsum  pro- 
dierit,  lethale. 

23.  Quibus  cumque  ex  morbis  acutis,  aut 
ex  diuturnis,  aut  ex  vulneribus,  aut  aliter 
quocumque  modo  extenuatis,  bilis  atra,  vel 
qualiscumque  sanguis  niger  prodierit,  pos- 
tridie  moriuntur. 

24.  Dysenteria,  si  ab  atra  bile  inceperitj 
lethale.* 

*  Dejectio  nigra  velut  sanguis,  et  cum  febre  et  sine  febre,  mala 
est :  malae  item  omnes  variorum  colorum ;  et  abundc  bile  aaCU' 
rat»,  pravae.     Coasts  Frcenot :  Aph.  17.  Cap.  xjtviii. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.  81 

purgatives  have  no  thirst,  ought  to  be  purged 
until  thirst  be  induced. 

20.  Pain  in  the  lower  region  of  the  ab- 
domen,  with  griping,  and  aching  of  the 
knees,  unattended  with  fever,  indicate  the 
necessity  of  purgatives. 

21.  Dark  coloured  dejections,  resembling 
black  blood,  coming  on  spontaneously,  ei« 
ther  with,  or  without  fever,  is  very  unfa- 
vourable ;  and,  the  more  so,  if  the  colour  of 
these  dejections  become,  with  their  conti- 
nuance, still  more  depraved  :  but  if  the  eva- 
cuations assume  a  more  favourable  com- 
plexion, or,  if  their  dark  colour  be  the  ef- 
fect of  purgatives,  less  evil  is  to  be  appre- 
hended. 

22.  At  the  commencement  of  all  diseases, 
of  whatever  nature  they  may  be,  the  purging 
or  vomiting  of  atrabilious  matter  is  fatal. 

23.  In  those  wasted  by  acute  or  chronic 
diseases,  by  wounds  or  any  other  received 
injury,  the  evacuation  of  atrabilious  matter, 
or  of  a  matter  resembling  dark  blood,  is  fol- 
lowed, on  the  succeeding  day,  by  death. 

24.  Dysentery,  proceeding  from  atrabili* 
ous  matter,  is  fatal. 

B6sTON   COrLEGE 

FACUtrV  LIBRARY 


82  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

25.  Sanguis  sursiim  quidem,  qualiscum- 
que  sit,  malum  :  deorsum  vero,  bonum,  ni- 
ger  subtiis  secedens. 

26.  Si  a  dysenteria  detento  velut  carun- 
Guljfi  cecesserint,  lethale  est. 

27.  Quibus  per  febres  sanguinis  copia 
undecumque  eruperit,  his  in  refectionibus 
alvi  humectantur. 

28.  Quibus  biliosss  sunt  egestiones,  sur- 
ditate  superveniente,  cessant :  et,  quibus 
surditas  est,  biliosis  supervenientibus,  cessat. 


29.  Quibus  per  febres  sexta  die  rigores 
fuint,  difficuiter  j  udicantur. 

30.  Quibus  exacerbationes  fiunt,  qui- 
eumque  hora  dimiserit  febris,  postridie 
eadem  hora  si  corripuerit,  difficuiter  judi- 
©antur. 

31.  Lassatis  per  febres  ad  articulos,  ct 
circa  maxillas  maxime,  abscessus  fiunt. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.  83 

25.  The  expectoration  of  blood,  how 
small  soever  in  quantity,  is  injurious :  but 
the  evacuation  of  black  blood  downwards  is 
(frequently)  advantageous. 

26.  If,  during  dysentery,  there  come  away 
by  evacuation,  substances  resembling  small 
pieces  of  hesh,  the  disease  will  prove  fataL 

27.  A  profuse  haemorrhage  taking  place 
in  fevers,*  ironi  whatsoever  part,  is  generally 
followed,  during  recovery,  by  a  humid 
stomach. 

28.  With  those  whose  dejections  are  bi- 
lious, if  deafness  supervene,  a  cessation  of 
the  former  will  take  place :  and  with  those 
who  are  deaf,  a  coming  on  of  bilious  eva° 
cuation  generally  removes  it. 

29.  In  fevers,  where  rigors  take  place  on 
the  sixth  day,  the  result  is  not  easily  de^- 
termined. 

30.  Where  fevers,  attended  with  pa- 
roxysms, go  off  at  a  certain  hour,  and  return 
the  following  day,  at  the  same  hour,  it  is  dif= 
ficult  to  determine  the  crisis. 

51.  Fevers,  attended  with  lassitude,  in- 
dicate a  deposition  of  matter  about  the  joints ; 
and  more  especially  near  the  maxillary  ar- 
ticulation. 

*■  The  observations  from  the  ayth  to  the  73d  Aphor,  &r  the 
most  part,  treat  of  pyrexial  symptoms. 


84  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISM!. 

32.  Quibus  ex  morbo  resurgentibus  aliquid 
dolet,  ibi  abscessus  fiunt. 

33.  Sed  et,  si  quid  doluerit  ante  morbum, 
ibi  se  figit  morbus. 

34.  Si  a  febre  detento,  tumore  in  fauci- 
bUs  non  existente,  suffocatio  ex  improviso  su- 
perveniat,  lethale. 

35.  Si  a  febre  detento  collum  derepentc 
inversum  fuerit,  et  vix  deglutire  possit,  tu- 
more non  existente,  lethale. 


36.  Sudores  febricitantibus  si  incesserintj 
boni  sunt  die  tertia,  et  quinta,  et  septima,  et 
Bona,  et  undecima,  et  quarta  decima,  et  sep- 
tima decima,  et  vigesima  prima,  et  vigesima 
septima,  et  trigesima  prima,  et  trigesima 
quarta.  Hi  enim  sudores  morbum  judicant* 
Qui  vero  ita  non  fuint,  laborem  significantj 
€t  morbi  longitudinem  et  recidivas, 

37.  Sudores  frigidi,  cum  acuta  quidem 
febre  evenientes,  mortem  ;  cum  mitiore  veroj 
suorbi  longitudinem  significant. 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES,  85 

32.  If  in  those  recovering  from  indisposi» 
tion,  there  occur  any  local  pain,  it  foreshows 
the  formation  of  an  abscess. 

33,  But,  if  local  pain  immediately  precede 
disease,  it  foreshows  a  determination  of  the 
disease  to  that  part. 

34.  When  suffocation  suddenly  comes  on 
in  fever,  without  any  tumour  being  present, 
it  immediately  proves  fatal. 

35,  When,  iii  consequence  of  fever,  such 
an  inversion  of  the  action  of  the  oesophagus 
takes  place,  that,  notwithstanding  the  absence 
of  tumour,  deglutition  can  scarcely  be  per- 
formed,  it  is  fatal. 

36,  Perspiration,  in  fever,  is  favourable^ 
when  it  comes  out  on  the  third,  fifth,  seventhj 
ninth,  eleventh,  fourteenth,  seventeenth, 
twenty-first,  twenty-seventh,  thirty -first  and 
thirty-fourth  day  ;  for  these  several  periodic 
€al  sweats  are  indicative  of  the  disease.  But 
if  they  do  not  occur  in  this  ord«^^r,  it  fore- 
shows a  tedious  and  protracted  disease,  at- 
tended with  many  relapses. 

37.  Cold  sweats  coming  on  with  acute  fe- 
ver, annourice  a  speedy  dissolution;  when 
they  exist  but  in  a  slight  degree,  they  foretd 
protracted  illness. 

8 


86  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

38.  Et  qua  corporis  parte  inest  sudor,  ibi 
morbum  esse  indicat. 

39.  Et  qua  corporis  parte  inest  calor,  aut 
frigus,  ibi  morbus  est. 

40.  Et  ubi  in  toto  corpore  mutationes,  et 
si  corpus  perfrigeretur,  aut  rursus  calefiat^ 
aut  color  alius  ex  alio  fiat,  morbi  longitudi« 
nem  significat. 

41.  Sudor  multus  a  somno,  citra  causam 
manifestam  factus,  corpus  uberiore  alimento 
uti  significat.  Si  vero  cibum  non  capienti 
hoc  flat,  evacuatione  indigere  significat. 

42.  Sudor  multus,  frigidus  aut  calidus, 
semper  fluens,  frigidus  quidem  majorem,  ca- 
lidus vero  minorem  morbum  significat. 

43.  Febres  quaecumque  non  intermitten- 
tes  tertia  die  vehementiores  fiunt,  magis 
|iericulos8e  :  quocumque  autem  niodo  inter» 
mittant,  quod  sine  periculo  siiit  significat. 

44.  Quibus  febres  longse,  his  tubcrcula  ad 
articulos,  aut  dolores  fiunt. 

45.  Quibus  tubercula  ad  articulos,  aut 
dolores  et  febribus  iongis  fiunt,  hi  pluribus 
Utuntur  cibis. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.  87 

38.  From  whatsoever  part  of  the  body 
sweat  breaks  forth,  it  foreshows  a  determina- 
tion of  the  disease  to  that  part. 

39.  In  wliatever  part  of  the  body  heat  or 
cold  arises, — there  the  disease  seats  itself. 

40.  Where  there  occur  alternate  changes 
of  cold  and  heat,  and  the  complexion  under- 
goes various  changes  of  colour,  we  may  pre- 
dict extended  illness. 

41.  Profuse  sweats,  during  sleep,  without 
any  manifest  local  aiFection,  may  arise  from  a 
too  plentiful  diet  ;  but  if  it  take  place,  not- 
withstanding tlie  observance  of  a  frugal  regi- 
men, it  shows  the  necessity  of  evacuations. 

42.  Profuse  sweats,  either  cold  or  hot^ 
continually  present, — the  former  denotes  a 
greater,  the  latter,  a  less  disease. 

43.  Continued  fevers,  that  increase  in  vio- 
lence on  the  third  day  are,  in  consequencCj 
the  more  dangerous ;  but  if  they,  in  any  way, 
assume  an  intermittent  form,  the  danger 
entirelv  ceases. 

44.  Protracted  fevers  bring  with  them  tu- 
mours and  pains  of  the  joints. 

45.  Those  vv^ho,  from  extended  fevers, 
have  tumours  or  pains  of  the  joints,  are  in- 
clined to  excess  in  their  food. 


88  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

46.  Si  rigor  incidat  febri  non  intermittently 
debili  jam  existente  aegro,  iethaie. 

47.  Exscreationes  in  febribus  non  inter- 
mittentibus  lividse,  et  cruentae,  et  graveolen- 
tes,  et  biliosee,  omnes  malse  sunt.  At  probe 
secedentts,  bona?,  ht  eadem  ratio  est  quod 
ad  alvi  egtstiones,  et  quod  ^d  uriuas.  Si 
vero  nihil  ex  conducentibus  excernatur  per 
hsec  loca,  malum. 

48.  In  non  intermittentibus  febnbus,  s! 
externa  quidem  frigida  sint.  interna  veru  uran- 
tur,  et  sitim  habeant,  lethale. 

49.  In  lebre  non  intermittente,  si  labium, 
aut  supercilium,  aut  oculus,  aut  nasus  perver- 
tatur,  si  non  videat,  si  non  auaiat,  corporc 
jam  debili  existente,  quicquid  horum  fiat,  in 
propinquo  mors  est. 


50.  Ubi  in   febre  non  intermittente  diffi- 
ultas  spirandi  et  delirium  fit,  Iethaie. 


c 


51.  In  febribus,  abscessus  qui  non  sol- 
vuntur  ad  primas  judicationes,  morbi  longi- 
tudinem  significat. 

52.  Quicumque  in  febribus,  aut  in  cgete- 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  89 

46.  Rigors  coming  on,  in  those  enfeebled 
by  long  continued  fever,  prove  fatal. 

47.  Livid,  bloody,  foetid  and  bilious  stools^ 
coming  on  in  continued  fevers,  are  alike  un- 
favourable ;  but  a  timely  appearance  of  them 
is  beneficial.  The  same  observation  may  be 
applied  to  the  alvine  and  urinary  discharges  ; 
but  if  the  matter  offending  be  not  thrown  out 
along  with  the  excretions — these  excretions 
are  injurious. 

48.  In  continued  fevers,  if  the  external 
parts  be  cold,  aiid  the  internal  hot,  with 
much  thirst,  the  disease  will  prove  fatal. 

49.  In  continued  fever,  if  the  lip,  the  eye 
and  eyebrow,  and  nose,  become  distorted — 
if  the  sight  and  hearing  fail — if  debility  pre- 
vail over  the  whole  system  ; — all  and  each  of 
these  symptoms  foretel  the  near  approach  of 
death. 

50.  In  continued  fever,  delirium,  accom- 
panied with  difficulty  of  breathing,  proves 
fatal. 

51.  In  fever,  where  abscesses  have  not 
ht^n  dispersed,  during  the  primary  stages 
of  the  disease,  they  foreshow  extended  ill- 
ness. 

52.  When,  in  fever,  or  in  any  in  other  af- 

8^ 


90  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

ris  inlirmitatibus,  ex  proposito  lachrymantur^ 
nihil  incoiiveniens  :  qui  vero  non  ex  propo- 
sito, magis  inconveniens. 

53,  Quibus  in  febre  ad  dentes  viscosa  cir- 
cumnascuntur,  his  febris  fiunt  vehemen- 
tiores. 

54.  Quibus  diii  tusses  siccse,  pauh'im  irri- 
tantes,  in  febribus  ardentibus,  non  admodum 
siticulosi  sunt. 

55,  In  bubonibus  febres,  omnes  malse, 
prseter  ephemeras. 

56.  Febricitanti  sudor  superveniens,  febre 
non  reniittente,  malum.  Prolongatur  enim 
morbus,  et  copiosiorem  humiditatem  indicat. 


57.  A  convulsione  aut  tetano  detento,  fe- 
bris superveniens  solvit  morbum. 

58.  A  febre  ardente  detento,  rigore  super- 
veniente,  solutio  (fit). 

59.  Tertiana  exquisita  in  septem  ad  sum- 
mum  circuitibus  judicatur. 

60.  Quibus  in  febre  aures  obsurduerint, 
his  sanguis  e  naribus  effluens,  aut  alvus  ex- 
turbata,  morbum  solvit. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.  91 

fection,  the  patient  sheds  tears  voluntarily,  it 
is  not  unfavourable  ;  but  if  they  flow  invo- 
luntarily,  it  is  somewhat  alarming. 

53.  When,  during  fever,  sordes  collect 
around  the  teeth,  it  denotes  the  violence  of 
the  disease. 

54.  Those  who,  in  ardent  fevers,  are  trou- 
bled for  a  long  time  with  dry  cough,  and 
somewhat  of  irritation,   have  not  much  thirst, 

55.  Buboes  arising  in  fever  are  always  dan- 
gerous, except  in  ephemera. 

56.  Perspiration  coming  on  in  fever,  with- 
out a  remission  of  the  disorder  taking  place, 
is  an  unfavourable  circumstance ;  for  in  that 
case,  it  denotes  a  too  copious  humidity  of  the 
system,  and  foreshows  a  prolongation  of  the 
disease. 

57.  If  in  convulsion  or  tetanus,  fever  su- 
pervene,   he  disease  goes  off. 

58.  When  rigors  come  on  in  ardent  fever, 
they  prove  critical. 

59.  Severe  tertians  determine  themselves, 
at  farthest,  in  seven  paroxysms. 

60.  Wnen  deafness  comes  on  in  fever,  it 
is  generally  removed  by  nasal  haemorrhage, 
©r  diarrhoea. 


92  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

61.  Febricitanti,  nisi  in  diebus  imparibiis 
dimiserit  febris,  reverti  solet. 

62.  Quibus  in  febre  morbus  regius  snper- 
venit  ante  septimum  diem,  malum  est. 

63.  Quibus  in  febribus  quotidie  rigores 
iiunt,  quotidie  febres  solvuntur. 

64.  Quibus  in  febre  septima,  aut  nona,  aut 
undecima,  aut  quart  a  decima  morbus  re- 
gius supervenit,  bonum  est :  nisi  dextrum 
hypochondrium  durum  sit ;  alioqui,  non  bo- 
num. 

65.  In  febribus  circa  ventrem  sestus  vehe- 
mensj  et  oris  ventriculi  dolor,  malum. 

66.  In  febribus  acutis  convulsiones,  et 
circa  viscera  doiores  vehementes,  malum. 

67.  In  febribus,  ex  somnis  pavores,  aut 
convulsi  >nes,  malum. 

68.  In  febribus  spiritus  ofFendens,  malum  : 
eonvulsionem  enim  significat. 

69.  Quibus  urinse  crassae,  grumosse,  pau- 
eae,  non  sine  febre,  copia  ex  his  succedens 
tenui,  juvat.  Tales  autem  iis  maxime  pro- 
deunt,  quibus  ab  initio  morbi^  aut  brevi  post, 
subsidentiam  continent. 


APHORISMS  OP  HIPPOCRATES.  93 

61.  Unless  fever  depart  on  an  irregular 
day,  it  is  apt  to  return.* 

62.  If,  in  fever,  jaundice  supervene  be- 
fore the  seventh  day — it  is  unfavourable. 

63.  Those  fevers  which  have  daily  rigors^ 
have  dailv  remissions. 

64.  Jaundice  supervening,  in  fever,  on  the 
seventh,  ninth,  eleventh  and  fourteenth  day — 
is  favourable:  but  if  the  right  hypochon- 
drium  be  indurated,  it  is  not  so. 

65.  If,  in  fever,  a  violent  heat  arise  about 
the  stomach  aud  upper  orifice  of  the  stomach? 
it  is  unfavourable. 

66.  Convulsions  and  violent  pains  of  the 
viscera,  in  acute  fever,  are  unfavourable. 

67.  If,  in  fever,  the  sleep  be  disturbed  by 
convulsion  or  terror,  it  denotes  danger. 

68.  An  interrupted  respiration  in  fever  is 
unfavot-rable — it  precedes  convulsion. 

69.  When,  with  existing  fever,  a  thick, 
grumy,  scant  urine,  is  followed  by  a  thin  and 
copious  discharge — it  is  beneficial ;  but  it  is 
the  more  so,  when,  at  the  commencement  of 
disease,  or  a  little  time  after,  the  urine  depo« 
sits  a  sediment. 

*  See  Aphor.  24.  Section  II. 


94  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

70.  Quibus  autem  in  febre  uriiise  contur- 
batae,  quails  ju mentor um,  his  capitis  doloreSj 
aut  ads  Lint,  aut  aderunt. 

71.  Quibus  morbi  septima  die  judicantur, 
lis  nubeculam  rubram  urina  die  quarta  con- 
tinet,  et  csetera  secundum  rationem. 

72.  Quibus  urinee  pellucidse,  albae,  malae, 
Maxime  autem  in  phreneticis  observatur» 

73.  Quibus  hypochondria  elevata  sunt 
murmurantia,  dolore  lumborum  superve- 
niente,  his  alvi  humectantur  :  nisi  flatus  eru- 
perint,  aut  urinse  copia  prodierit.  In  fehri- 
bus  autnii  ^'(ec. 

74.  Quibus  spes  est  abscessum  fore  ad  ar- 
ticulos,  eos  abscessu  iiberat  urina  multa ;  et 
crassa,  et  alba  reddita,  qualis  in  febribus  cum 
iassitudine  quarta  die  quibvisdam  fieri  inci- 
pit.  Si  vcrj  etiam  ex  naribus  sanguis  eru- 
perit,  brevi  admpdum  solvit. 


75.  Si  quis  sanguinem,   aut  pus  mingat, 
renum,  aut  vesicae  exulcerationem  significat. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.  95 

70.  When,  in  fever,  the  urine  has  a  tur= 
bid  appearance,  such  as  is  wont  to  take  place 
in  labouring  animals,  it  denotes  either  pre- 
sent, or  approaching  pains  of  the  head, 

71-  When  the  disease  determines  itself  on 
the  seventh  day,  the  urine  contains  a  red  ne* 
bulous  matter,  and  assumes  other  character^ 
istic  appearances. 

72.  When  the  urine  assumes  a  white  pel- 
lucid appearance,  it  is  unfavourable,  for  such 
is  a  distinguislied  character  of  phrenitis. 

73.  When  distention  of  the  hypochondria, 
attended  with  borborygmus,  takes  place,  if 
pain  of  the  loins  supervene,  diarrhoea  follows ; 
unless  there  be  a  discharge  of  wind,  or  copi° 
ous  issue  of  urine.      Tkus  much  of/ever.^ 

74.  Where  there  is  any  expectation  of  ab- 
scess being  about  to  take  place  in  the  joints, 
it  is  prevented  by  a  plentiful  emission  of 
urine,  of  a  thick,  white  consistence,  such  as 
is  voided  in  the  fourth  day  of  fevers  attended 
with  lassitude.  But  if  there  be  combined 
with  this,  a  haemorrhage  from  the  nose^  the 
relief  is  still  more  sudden. 

75.  A  micturition  of  blood  or  pus  de- 
notes ulceration  of  the  kidneys  or  bladder» 


96  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI, 

76.  Qiiibus  in  urina  crassa  existentc  ca« 
runculae  parvse,  aut  veluti  pili  una  exeunt., 
his  de  renibus  excernunturo 

77.  Quibus  in  urina  crassa  existente  fur- 
furacea  simul  minguntur,  iis  vesica  scabie 
laborat. 

78.  Qui  f^^ponte  sanguinem  mingunt,  his 
1,  renibus  vci  ge  ruptionem  significat. 

79.  Quibus  in  urina,  arenosa  subsidentj 
illis  vesica  calculo  laborat. 

80.  Si  quis  sanguinem  mingat,  et  grumos^ 
@t  urinas  stiiucidium  habeatj  et  dolor  incidat 
ad  imum  ventreni,  et  perinseunij  partes  eirca 
vesicam  laborant» 

81.  Si  quis  banguinem  et  pus  raingat^  et 
squamas,  ti  odor  gravis  sit,  vesicae  exuicera^ 
tionem  signiiicat. 

82.  Quibua  in  urinaria  fistula  tuberculuna 
Bascitur,  bib,  bupparato  eoet  perrupto,  solu-^^ 
tic  fit, 

83.  Mictio  noctu  multa  contingens^  par- 
Vatn  alvi  dtjectioncm  significat. 


APHORISMS  OF    HIPPOCRATES.  97 

76.  When  a  thick  urine  is  voided  with 
small  caruncles,  resembling  short  pieces  of 
hair,  the  excretion  proceeds  from  the  kid- 
neys, 

77.  A  micturition  of  thick  urine,  together 
with  a  furfuraceous  matter,  shows  an  ulcera- 
tion of  the  bladder, 

78.  A  spontaneous  micturition  of  blood, 
shows  the  rupture  of  a  renal  vein. 

79.  A  sandy  deposit  in  the  urine  proceeds 
from  a  calculus  in  the  bladder. 

80.  If  a  micturition  of  blood  and  grumous 
matter,  be  connected  with  strangury  and  pain 
in  the  hypograsirmm  and  perinseum,  it  mdi- 
Gates  an  affection  about  the  bladder. 

81.  If  there  be  a  micturition  of  blood,  pus 
an  squamse,  accompanied  with  a  disagreea- 
ble odour,  it  denotes  an  ulceration  of  the  blad- 
€ler. 

82.  If  a  tubercle,  arising  in  the  urethra^ 
suppurate  and  break,  the  disorder  ceases. 

83.  A  copious  emission  of  urine,  during 
the  night,  is  indicative  of  a  less  copious  al- 
vine  dejection, 

9 


98  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMIa 

SECTIO  V. 


1.  Convulsio  ab  elleboro  lethale. 

2.  Vulneri  convulsio  superveniens,  le- 
thaie. 

3.  Sanguine  multo  effuso,  convulsio,  aut 
singultus  superveniens,  malum. 

4.  Purgationi  immodicae  convulsio,  aut 
singultus  superveniens,  malum. 

5.  Si  quis  ebrius  ex  improviso  mutus  fiat, 
convulsus  moritur,  nisi  febris  corripuerit^ 
aut  ubi  ad  horam  qua  crapulae  solvuntur, 
pervenit,  locutus  fuerit. 

6.  Qui  a  tetano  corripiuntur,  in  quatuor 
diebus  pereunt ;  si  vero  hos  efFugerint,  sani 
fiunt. 

7.  Quibus  epilepsise  ante  pubertatem  con- 
tingunt,  mutationem  habent.  Quibus  vero 
accidunt  viginti  quinque  annos  natisj  his- 
plerumque  commoriuntur. 

8.  Qui  pleuritici  facti,   non  repurguntui? 
superne  in  quatuordecim  diebus,  is  in  sup- 
purationem  convertitur. 


APHORISMS   OV  HIPPOCRATES.  99 

SECTION  V. 


1.  Convulsion,  arising  from  hellebore,  is 
fataL 

2.  Convulsion,  arising  from  a  wound,  is 
fatal. 

3.  Convulsion,  or  hiccough,  proceeding 
from  haemorrhage,  is  dangerous. 

4.  Convulsion,  or  hiccough,  proceeding 
from  immoderate  catharsis,  is  dangerous. 

5.  If  aphonia  come  on  suddenly  from  ine- 
briation— death  ensues, — unless  fever  super- 
vene, or  the  speech  return,  on  the  intoxica- 
tion going  off. 

6.  Those  who  are  seized  with  tetanus, 
expire  within  four  days  ;  but  if  they  survive 
the  fourth  day,  they  generally  recover. 

7.  Those  who  are  attacked  with  epilepsy 
before  the  age  of  puberty,  have  a  chance  of 
cure  ;  but  when  the  disorder  comes  on  after 
the  twenty-fifth  year,  it  ceases  only  with 
life. 

8.  In  pleuritic  affections,  if  expectoration 
Gome  not  on  in  fourteen  days,  suppuration 
commences. 


100  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

9.  Tabes  maxime  fit  aetatibus  ab  anno  oc- 
tavo decinio  usque  ad  quintum  trigesimunie 

10.  Quibus  anginam  effugientibus  ad  pul- 
moneni  vertitar,  in  septern  diebus  tnoriuntur. 
Si  vero  hos  efFugerint,  suppurati  fiunt. 

11.  A  tabe  vexatis,  si  sputum  quod  ex- 
tussiuntj^prunis  superfusum,  graviter  oleat, 
et  capiiii  ^e  capite  defiuant,  letiiaie. 


1%  Quibus  tabe  laborantlbus  capilli  de 
capite  ciefiuuut,  hi  alvi  iiuxu  super veniente, 
moriuntur. 

13.  Qui  sanguinem  spumosum  ex  spuunt, 
his  ex  pUiUione  talis  rejectio  lit. 

14.  A  tahe  detento  alvi  proilavium  super- 
veniens,  lethale. 

15.  Qui  ex  pleuritide  suppurati  fiunt,  si 
intra  quadraginta  dies,  ex  quo  ruptio  fuerit 
facta,  repurgentur  superne,  liberantur  :  si 
vero  minus,  ad  tabem  transeunt. 

16.  Calidum,  eo  frequenter  utentibus,  has 
affert  noxas :  carnis  effeminationem,  ner- 
vorum  impotentiam,  mentis  torporem,  san- 
guinis eruptiones,  iuiimi  deiiquia  :  hsec  qui- 
bus mors. 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.        101 

9.  Phthisis  manifests  itself,  for  the  most 
part,  from  the  eighteenth  to  the  thirty-fifth 
year. 

10.  When  angina  translates  itself  to  the 
lungs,  the  patient  dies  in  seven  days ;  if 
he  escape  this  period,  suppuration  com- 
mences. 

11.  In  phthisis,  if  the  matter  expectorated, 
when  thrown  upon  live  coals,  emit  a  foetid 
odour ;  and  if  the  hair  fall  from  the  head, 
the  disease  is  fatal. 

12.  In  phthisis,  if  the  hair  fall  from  the 
head,  and  diarrhoea  ensue — the  disease  is 
fatal. 

13.  The  expectoration  of  a  spumous  blood 
proceeds  from  the  lungs. 

14.  In  phthisis,  diarrhoea  proves  fatal. 

15.  When  empyema  comes  on  in  pleu- 
risy, — if,  after  the  abscess  breaks,  the  mat- 
ter be  expectorated  within  forty  days,  the 
disorder  ceases  :  but,  if  it  happen  otherwise, 
the  disease  assumes  the  character  of  phthisis. 

16.  Excess  of  heat  induces  debility  of 
tiie  muscular  fibre,  impotence  of  nerve,  tor- 
por of  mind,  haemorrhage,  fainting,  and, 
lastly,  death. 


102  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI, 

17.  Frigidum  autem,  convulsiones,  te- 
tanos,  nigrores,  et  rigores  febriies. 

18.  Frigidum  inimicum  ossibus,  denti- 
bus,  nervis,  cerebro,  spinali  medullae :  ca- 
lidum  vero  utile, 

19.  Quse  perfrigerata  sunt,  excalefacere 
oportet,  prseterquam  quae  sanguinem  pro- 
fundunt,  aut  sunt  profusura. 

20.  Ulceribus  frigidum  quidem  mordax, 
cutem  obdurat,  dolorem  non  suppurantem 
facit,  nigrores,  rigores  febriles,  convulsiones, 
et  tetanos. 

21.  Est  vero,  ubi  in  tetano  sine  ulcere, 
juveni  bene  carnoso,  sestate  media^  frigidae 
multse  afFusio  caloris  revocationem  facit; 
calor  autem  hsec  solvit. 

22.  Calidum  suppuratorium,  non  in  omni 
ulcere,  maximum  signum  ad  securitatem  ; 
cutem  emollit,  attenuat,  dolores  sedat,  ri- 
gores, convulsiones,  tetanos  mitigat :  capi- 
tis vero  gravitatem  solvit :  plurimum  autem 
confert  ossium  fracturis  :  max  i me  vero  de- 
nudatis :  ex  his  quidem  maxime,  qui  in 
capite  ulcera  habent :  et  quae  a  frigore  mo- 
riuntur^  aut  ulcerantur  :   et  herpetibus  exe- 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.         103 

17.  Excess  of  cold  induces  convulsion, 
tetanus,    petechiae,  and  febrile  rigors. 

18.  Cold  is  prejudicial  to  the  bones,  teeth, 
nerves,  braia,  and  spinal  marrow  :  heat,  on 
the  contrary,  is  beneficial  to  them. 

19.  Those  pvirts  which  have  suffered  from 
cold,  ought  to  be  warmed, — except  when 
haemorrhage  takes  place,  or  is  about  to  take 
place. 

20.  Cold  proves  corrosive  to  ulcers,  tends 
to  harden  the  skin,  causes  pain  by  sup- 
pressing suppuration,  and  induces  petechias, 
febrile  rigors,  convulsions  and  tetanus. 

21.  When  tetanus  takes  place,  without 
previous  ulcer,  in  the  middle  of  summer,  in 
those  of  full  habits, — cold  affusion  serves  to 
recall  the  absent  heat,  and,  thereby,  termi- 
nate the  disease. 

22.  In  most  wounds  (with  few  excep- 
tions) heaty^  by  favouring  suppuration,  tends 
greatly  to  their  cure :  it  softens  and  at- 
tenuates the  skin,  subdues  pain,  mitigates 
rigors,  convulsions  and  tetanus,,  and  relieves 
the  attendant  heaviness  of  head :  it  is, 
for  the  most  part,  beneficial  in  fractures, 
particularly  those  in  which  the  bone  is  de- 
nuded,  and  is,    furthermore,    greatly    ser- 

^  Te  ^egjCtov— however,  CaliJa  A^aa  ought,  here,  to  be  understood^ 


104  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

dentibus,  sedi,  pudendo,  utero,  vesicae.  His 
ealidum  quidem  amicum  et  decretorium ; 
frigidum  vero  inimicum  et  occidens. 


23,  In  his  autem  frigido  uti  oportet  unde 
sanguis  erumpit,  aut  erupturus  est :  non 
super  Ipsa,  sed  circa  haec  unde  influit.  Et 
quajcumque  inliammationes,  aut  flammei  ar- 
dores  ad  rubrum  et  sanguineum  coiorem  ver- 
gentes  novo  sanguine,  super  ipsos :  nam 
inveteratos  nigrefacit :  erysipelas  etiam  non 
exulceratum  (juvat) :  quoniam  exulceratum 
Igedit, 


24.  Frigida   velut  nix,   glaeies,   pectori 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.         105 

viceable  in  wounds  of  the  head  :  it,  alsOg 
does  good  when  applied  to  parts  ulcerated 
or  mortified  by  coid  ;  and,  also,  to  that  spe- 
cies of  ulcerative  tetter  affectnig  the  anus, 
pudendum,  womb  and  bladder  ; — with  all 
these,  therefore, /ie«^*  is  beneficicii  and  ju- 
dicious in  its  application ;  whereas  cold  is 
highly  prejudicial  and  even   atal. 

23.  In  those  instances  where  haemorrhage 
takes  place,  or  is  about  to  take  place,  the 
application  of  cold  f  is  necessary,  not  ac- 
tually to  the  h  emorrhage  itseif,  but  to  the 
parts  circumjacent.  But  wheresoever  in- 
flammation exists,  or  when,  from  a  new  ac- 
cumulation oi  blood,  the  parts  affected,  ac- 
quire a  preternatural  heat,  and  assume  a 
flame-coloured  appearance,  the  application 
of  cold  is  to  be  made  immediately  to  the 
part  itself ;  otherwise,  by  a  long  continuance 
of  the  inflammation,  discolouration  of  the 
parts  will  take  place.  In  erysipelas,  unat- 
tended with  ulceration,  cold  applications  are 
beneficial,  but  when  ulceration  is  present, 
they  are  injurious. 

24.  Cold  applications,  such  as  snow  and 

•  See  note,  p.  loj.  f  Aqua  friglda. 


106  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

inimica,  tusses  movent,  sanguinis  eriiptiones 
ac  catarrhos  induciint. 

25.  Tumores  autem  in  articulis  et  dolores 
absque  ulcere,  et  podagricos,  et  convulsiones; 
horum  plurima  frigida  multa  afFusa,  et  levat 
et  attenuat,  et  dolorem  solvit.  Torpor  enim 
inodicus  doloris  solvendi  vim  habet. 


26.  Aqua,  quae  cito  calefiat,  et  cito  re- 
frigeratur,  levissima. 

27.  Quibus  autem  bibendi  appetentise  noc- 
tu,  iis  valde  sitientibus,  si  obdormierint, 
bonum. 

28.  SulEtus  aromatum  muliebria  ducit,* 
ssepiiis  autem  et  ad  alia  utilis  esset,  nisL  ca- 
pitis gravitates  induceret. 

29.  Pr  ipgnantes  purgandse,  si  t orgeat  ma» 
teria,  quadrimestres,  et  usque  ad  septimum 
mensem  :  hae  vero  minus.  Juniores  autem, 
et  semores  foetus,  cautevitare  oportet. 

30.  Mulierem  in  utero  gerentem  ab  acuto 
aliquo  morbo  corripi,  lethale. 

*  Villebrune  understands  here  "  aromatum  sufposHorum,^' 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.       107 

ice,  are  injurious,  to  the  breast,   producing 
cough,  catarrh,  and  hasmorrhage. 

25.  Tumours,  and  pains  of  the  joints,  un- 
attended with  ulcer;  also,  convulsive  and 
podagrical  aiFections,  are,  for  the  most  part, 
benefitted  by  frequent  cold  affusions,  which 
have  a  tendency  to  mitigate  and  throw  off  the 
complaint :  for  a  moderate  degree  of  torjjor 
has  the  eftect  of  subduing  pain.* 

26.  Tiat  water  is  lightest  which  is  soon- 
est heated  and  cooled. 

27.  With  those  who  need  much  drink  du- 
ring the  night, — if  sleep  succeed  great  thirsty 
it  is  a  favourable  symptom. 

28.  Aromatic  fumigations  bring  on  the 
menstrual  flux  :  they  are,  also,  serviceable  in 
other  instances  ;  but  we  should  discontinue 
them  where  they  induce  heaviness  of  head.f 

29.  See  Aphor.  1.  Sect.  iv. 


30.  With  pregnant  women,  acute  diseases 
generally  prove  fatal. 

•  From  the  inference  here  drawn,  it  will  appear  that  Hippo» 
crates  considered  cold,  in  every  stage,  as  a  sedative. 

f  We  have  our  doubts,  whether  his  suggestion  (so  oftefl  ridieuled^ 
J}e,  indeed,  ridieuleut. 


108  HIPPOCRAIIS   APHORISMI. 

31.  Muiier  in  utero  gerens  secta  vena 
abortit,  et  magis,  si  major  fuerit  foetus. 

32.  Mulieri  sanguinem  evomenti,  men- 
struis  erumpentibus,  solutio  fit, 

33.  Mulieri,  menstruis  deficientibus,  e 
naribus  sanguinem  fiuercj  bonum. 

34.  Mulieri  in  utero  gerenti,  si  alvus  muU 
tiim  fiuxerit,  periculum  ne  abortiat. 

35.  Mulieri  ab  uterina  passione  vexatse^ 
aut  difiicuiter  parienti,  sternutatio  superve- 
Biens,  bonum. 

S6,  Mulieri  menses  decolores,  neque  se- 
cundum eadcm  semper  prode antes,  purga= 
tione  opus  esse  significant. 

37.  Mulieri  in  utero  gerenti  si  mammae 
ex  improvibo  graciles  fiant,  abortit. 

38.  Mulieri  in  utero  gerenti,  si  altera 
liiamma  gracilis  fiat,  gemellos  gestanti,  alter- 
litrum  abortit,  et  si  quidem  dextra  gracilis 
iat^  marem  :  si  vero  sinistra^  feminam. 


APHORISMS  OF  aiPPOCR ATES.  109 

31,  With  pregnant  women,  venesection 
produces  abortion  ;  especially  if  gestation  be 
far  advanced. 

32.  When  vomiting  of  blood  takes  place, 
in  women,  it  ceases  on  the  appearance  of  the 
menses. 

S3,  When  a  deficiency  takes  place  in  the 
menstrual  discharge,  nasal  haemorrhage  is  be- 
neficiaL 

34.  When  diarrhoea  comes  on,  in  preg>- 
nant  women,  there  is  some  danger  of  abor- 
tion. 

35\  In  hysterical  affections,  or  difficult  par- 
turition, sternutation  is  beneficial. 

36,  Discoloured  and  irregular  menses  in- 
dicate the  necessity  of  purgatives. 

37,  A  sudden  subsidence  of  the  breast% 
during  pregnancy,  is  followed  by  abortion. 

38,  In  pregnancy,  where  twins  stre  pres^n% 
a  subsidence  of  either  breast  foreshows  the 
death  of  one  of  them ;  a  male  foetus — if  it  be 
the  right  breast,  and  a  female,  if  it  be  the 
reft. 


10 


110  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

39.  Si  mulier  qnx  nee  prasgnans  est  nee 
peperit,  iac  habeat,  ei  menstrua  defecerunt,  . 


40.  Mulieribus  quibus  in  mammas  san- 
-guis  convertitur,  insaniam  significat, 

41.  Mullerem  si  velis  cognoscere  an  pr^g- 
iians  sit,  iibi  dormitura  est  (incoenatsej  aquam 
mulsam  bibendam  dato,  et  si  quidem  tormen 
habeat  circa  ventrem,  prsegnans  est :  si  ver© 
minus,  prsegnans  non  est. 

42.  Mulier  pryegnans,  si  tjuidem  marem 
gestat,  bene  colorata  est :  si  vero  feminam, 
male  colorata. 

43.  Si  mulieri  prsegnanti  erysipelas  in 
Htero  fiat,  lethale. 

44.  Quae  prtaeter  naturam  tenues  existentes- 
in  utero  gerunt,  abortiunt,  priusquam  cras- 
sescant. 

45.  Quae  vero  mediocriter  corpus  haben- 
tes  abortiunt  bimestres  et  trimestres ;  sine 
causa  manifest»,  his  uteri  acetabula  muco 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  Ill 

39.  A  secretion  of  milk,  in  the  breasts  of 
those  who  are  not  pregnant,  and  have  never 
had  offspring,  proceeds  from  a  suppression  of 
the  menstrual  discharge. 

40.  A  secretion  of  blood  (instead  of  7tiilk) 
in  the  breasts  (of  puerperal  women ^)  is  folio w^- 
cd  by  mania. 

41.  In  order  to  ascertain  whether  a  wo- 
man be  pregnant  or  not,  administer  hydromel, 
on  her  retiring  supperiess  to  bed  : — if  it  pro- 
duce griping,  she  is  pregnant — otherwise, 
not.* 

42.  In  pregnancy — a  fine  complexion  in- 
dicates a  male,  and  the  contrary — a  female 
foetus. 

43.  An  erysipelatous  affection  of  the  ute- 
rus, during  pregnancy,  proves  fatal. 

44.  Women  who,  during  pregnancy,  be- 
come exceedingly  thin,  miscarry  until  they 
begin  to  grow  fat. 

45.  When  women  of  a  tolerable  full  ha- 
bit of  body,  miscarry,  without  any  manifest 
cause,  about  the  second  or  third  month  of 

*  The  philosopher,  the  extent  of  whose  Mid/was  in  a  direct  ratio 
with  his  douks  ("•  credo,  quod  impossibile  est")  must  have  been  a 
staunch  sectarian  ! — As  we  profess  no  particular  professional  creed? 
Wje  leave  this  Aphorism  as  "  un  morceau"  for  the  critic. 


il2  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI» 

plena  sunt,  et  non  possunt  continere  fostmn^ 
prae  gravitate^  sed  abrumpuntur. 


46.  Qugeprseter  naturam  crassae  existentes 
non  concipiiint  in  utero,  his  omentum  os 
uteri  comprimit,  et,  priusquam  attenuentur^ 
praegnantes  non  fiunt. 

47.  Si  uterus  coxi  incumbens  suppuratus 
fuerit,  necesse  est,  ut pure  prof uso,  vicmia  in 
mniem  colllquescant.^ 


48.  Foetus,  mares  quidem  in  dextris,  fe- 
minse  vero  in  sinistris  magis. 

49.  Ut    secundse  excidant,    sternutatorio 
'indito,  nares  et  os  apprehendere  oportet. 


50.  Mulieri  menstrua  si  velis  cohibere. 
cucurbitam  quam  maximam  ad  mammas  ap- 
pone. 

*  In  the   latter  part  of  this  Aphorism  we    have  preferred  tht 
Latin  version  of  Villebrunc  j  which  the  original  text  seems  to  war 
rant. 


AFH02irSMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.        il3 

pregnancy,  it  denotes  a  too  copious  mucosi-- 
tv  in  the  pelvis  of  the  uterus  ;  the  womb, 
therefore,  becomes  incapable  of  retaining  the 
foetus,  which  latter  detaches  itself  by  its  own 
weight. 

46.  Women  excessively  corpulent  do  not 
conceive,  on  account  of  the  omentum  com- 
pressing the  mouth  of  the  uterus ;  they 3. 
therefore,  cannot  become  pregnant  until  the 
system  be  reduced, 

47.  (In  prolapso  uteris)  where  the  womb 
rests  upon  the  ischia,  should  suppuration 
commence,  the  pus  soon  degenerates  into 
sanies,  and  the  parts  adjoining  are  melted 
down. 

48.  The  male  foetus  inclines  to  the  right — ■ 
the  female^ — -to  the  left  side. 

49.  In  order  to  hasten  the  rejection  of  the 
secundine,  a  sternutatory  is  to  be  adminis- 
tered, at  the  same  time  the  mouth  and  nose 
are  to  be  closed. 

50.  To  restrain  the  menstrual;  discharge^ 
a  large  cupping-glass  is  to  be  applied  to  tlio 
breasts,- 


m 


^ 


114  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI. 

51.  Quae  in  utero  gerunt,  harum  os  uteri 
clausum  est. 

52.  Mulieri  in  utero  gerenti  si  multum 
lactis  ex  mammis  fluxerit,  infirmum  foetum 
significat.  Si  vero  solidse  fuerint  mammsej 
saniorem  foetum  sfgnificat. 

53.  Quae  perditurae  sunt  foetus,  his  mam- 
mse  graciles  fiunt.  Si  vero  rursiis  durae 
fiant,  dolor  erit,  aut  in  mammis,  aut  incoxis^ 
aut  in  oculis,  aut  in  genibus,  et  non  perdunt. 

54.  Quibus  os  uteri  durum  est,  his  ne- 
cesse  est  OS  uteri  clausum  esse. 

55.  Quaecumque  in  utero  gerentes  a  febri^ 
bus  corripiuntur,  et  vehementer  attenuantur, 
absque  manifesta  occasione,  difficulter  et 
periculose  pariunt,  aut  abortientes  pericii* 
tantur, 

56.  Si  fluxui  muliebri  convulsio  et  animi 
deliquium  superveniat,  malum, 

57.  Mensibus  copiosioribus  prodeuntibus, 
morbi  contingunt :  non  prodeuntibus^  ab  *it€^ 
ro  fiunt  morbi* 

58.  Recto  intestino  inflammato,  et  uter^ 


APHORISMS   OF   HIPPOCRATES.         Il5 

51  During  gestation,  the  mouth  of  the 
womb  is  closed. 

52.  If  a  great  flow  of  milk  from  the  breasts 
take  place  during  gestation,  it  denotes  the 
weakness  of  the  foetus  ;  but  if  the  breasts 
maintain  their  firmness,  it  is  indicative  of  a 
healthy  child. 

53.  A  subsidence  of  the  breasts  is  follow- 
ed by  abortion  ;  but,  if  they  resume  their 
usual  firmness  and  become  painful,  accom- 
panied also  with  pains  in  the  hips,  eyes  and 
kneesj  the  result  will  be  favourable. 

54.  When  the  mouth  of  the  uterus  is  hard 
to  the  touch,  it  is  necessarily  closed. 

55.  Those  who,  during  pregnancy,  are 
seized  with  fever,  attended  with  great  waste 
of  body,  and  that,  too,  without  any  manifest 
cause,  have  a  difficult  and  dangerous  partu- 
rition, or  an  abortion,  followed  by  alarming 
consequences. 

56.  If,  in  menorrhagia,  convulsion  and 
fainting  supervene,  the  case  is  alarming. 

57.  A  too  copious  menstrual  discharge  in- 
duces (general)  disease ;  a  suppression,  on 
the  other  hand,  causes  a  (local)  affection  of 
the  uterus. 

56.  Inflammation  of  the  rectum  and  tite- 


116  HIPPOCRATXS  APHORISMI. 

infiamniato^  et  renibus  suppuratis,  iinnse 
stjliicidium  hupervenit  i  hepati  autem  iniiam» 
mato,  singultus  supervenit. 

59.  Mulierj  si  in  ventre  non  concipiat, 
velis  aiitem  scire  an  conceptura  sit,  vestibus 
circumtectam  subter  suffito ;  et  si  quidem 
procedere  tibi  videatur  odor  per  corpus  ad 
nares  et  ad  os,  scito  hanc,  non  propter  se  ip- 
sum,  iofecundam  esse. 


60.  Si  mulieri  in  iitero  gerenti  purgationes 
prodeant,  fcetum  sanum  esse  impossibile. 

61.  Si  mulieri  purgationes  non  prodeanty 
neque  horrorcj  neque  febre  supervenicntCj 
cibi  auteni  fastidia  ipsi  accidant ;  hanc  in 
Htero  gerere  putato. 

62.  Qu^  frigidos  ac  densos  uteros  ha- 
bent,  non  concipiunt ;  et  quce  prsehumidos 
habent  uteros,  non  concipiunt ;  extinguitur 
enim  ipsis  genitura :  et  quae  siccos  magis  et 
adurentes  :  alimenti  enim  inopia  semen  cor- 
rumpitur.  Qua?  vero  ex  utrisque  tempera- 
mentum  habent  moderatum,  hae  ipsae  pro- 
Jiferae  fiunt. 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.         117 

rus,  and  suppuration  of  the  kidneys,  are  suc- 
ceeded by  strangury  ;   but   inflammation  of 
the  liver  is  followed  by  hiccough. 

59.  In  order  to  ascertain  whether  a  wo- 
man, who  has  not  conceived,  be  capable  of 
conception,  let  her  be  completely  enveloped 
hi  her  garment,  and  fumigated  from  beneath  ; 
if  the  odour,  pervading  the  body,  be  percep- 
tible at  the  nose  and  mouth,  it  is  an  evi- 
dence that  her  non- conception  proceeds  from 
no  impotence  on  her  part.* 

60.  If  the  menstrual  discharge  occur  du- 
ring pregnancy,  it  is  a  sure  indication  of 
an  unhealthy  foetus. 

61.  If  there  happen  a  suppression  of  the 
menses,  unaccompanied  with  horrors  and  fe- 
ver, but  attended  with  loathing  of  food,  we 
may  conclude  that  conception  has  taken 
place. 

62.  Conception  does  not  take  place  where 
the  uterus  is  cold,  dense  or  humid, — for 
here,  the  generative  fire  is  extinguished ; — 
neither  does  it  take  place  where  the  uterus 
has  too  much  of  heat  or  siccity, — for  here^ 
the  seed  is  destroyed  for  want  of  due  ali- 
ment :   those    only   who  are   removed  from. 

*  Vide  note  accompanying  Aphor.  41.  p.  iii» 


118  HIPPOCRATIS     APHORISMI. 


63,  Similiter  autem  etiam  in  masculis. 
Aut  enim  propter  corporis  raritateiii  spiritus 
extrti  fertur  adeo  et  semen  nun  eniittat :  aut 
propter  ciensitatem  humidum  non  pervadit 
foras  ;  aut  propter  frigiditatem  liOn  incalescit, 
ut  ad  hunc  locum  congregetur ;  aut  propter 
caliditatem  hoc  idem  contmgit. 


64.  Lac  dare  capita  dolentibus,  malum* 
Malum  vero  etiam  febricitantibus,  et  qui» 
bus  hypochondria  elevata  sunt,  nmrmnran- 
tia,  et  siticuiosis.  Malum  autem  et  quibus 
dejectiones  biiiosse,  et  iis  qui  in  acutis  sunt 
febribvss  :  et  quibus  copiosi  sanguiias  facta 
est  egestiO.  Convenit  vero  tabidis  non  ad- 
modi  Ui  vaidL  febricitantibus  (lac)  dare,  et 
in  febribus  iongis  et  ianguidis,  nuilo  ex  su- 
pradictis  sigrus  praesente  ;  et  prteter  rationem 
quideni  cxienuatis. 


APHORISMS   OF   HIPPOCRATES.         119 

cither  extreme,  and  who  are  possessed  of  a 
moderate  temperament,  are  prolific. 

63.  The  same  circumstances  equally  ob- 
tain with  males  ; — scmttimes,  from  the  per- 
meability of  the  body,  the  subtile  spirit 
escapes  outward,  in  so  much,  that  no  emis-^ 
sion  of  semen  takes  place  (in  coitu)  ^  or 
from  the  impervious  nature  (of  the  ex^ 
eretiiig  orgcmj  the  fluid  cannot  escape  ex- 
ternally :  impotence  may  also  arise  from  a 
frigidity  of  the  parts,  whereby  they  cannot 
be  excited  to  emission  (during  coition) ; 
excessive  heat  may  also  produce  the  same 
effect. 

64.  Milk  is  injurious  to  those  who  are 
afflicted  with  headach,  fever,  and  distention 
of  the  hypochondrium,  attended  with  bor-< 
borygmus,— also,  where  great  thirst  exists  ; 
it  is,  furthermore,  injurious  in  bilious  de-- 
jections  and  acute  fevers,  and  where  much 
blood  is  voided  in  egestion  :  it  is,  however, 
beneficial  in  phthisis,  when  little  fever  is  pre- 
sent,— also,  in  slow  protracted  fevers,  at- 
tended with  great  emaciation  ;  in  the  ad-, 
ministration  of  it,  we  are,  therefore,  to  ob- 
serve, that  none  of  the  foregoing  symptoms 
fee  present. 


120  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

65.  Quibus  tumores  in  ulceribus  apparent, 
ii  non  valde  convelluntur,  neqiie  insaniunt* 
His  autem  derepente  disparentibus,  quibus 
in  postica  quidem  parte  fuerint,  convulsiones 
fiunt  et  tetani :  quibus  vero  in  antica,  in- 
saniie,  aut  lateris  dolores  acuti,  aut  suppu- 
ratio,  aut  dysenteria,  si  rubicundi  fuerint  tu- 
mores, 

66.  Si  magnis  et  pravis  existentibus  vuL 
neribus,  tumores  non  appareant,  ingens  ma- 
lum. 

67.  Laxi  tumores,  boni ;  crudi  vero^ 
mali. 

68.  Postica  capitis  parte  dolenti,  recta  in 
fronte  vena  secta  juvat. 

69.  Rigores  incipiunt,  mulieribus  quidem^ 
ex  lumbis  magis,  et  per  dorsum  ad  caput ; 
viris  autem  postica  magis  parte,  quam  an- 
lica  corporis,  velut  ex  cubitis  ac  femoribus, 
Sed  et  cutis  viris  rara  est.  Hoc  quidem 
gilus  indicat. 


70.  A   quartanis  eorrepti,  h,  convulsioae 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES»         121 

65.  Tumefaction  supervening  in  wounds^ 
prevents  both  spasm  and  delirium ;  but  in 
wounds  of  the  back,  if  the  tumefaction  sud- 
denly disappear,  tetanus  and  convulsions 
follow :  wounds  received  on  the  fore-part; 
of  the  body  are  attended  with  delirium,  or 
acute  pains  of  the  side  ;  also  with  suppura- 
tion, or  dysentery, — and  this  more  especially 
if  the  tumefaction  be  very  red, 

66.  If  in  large  and  bad  conditioned 
wounds,  tumefaction  does  not  take  place^  the 
danger  is  considerable, 

67.  Tumours  which  have  a  soft  feel  are 
l^eneficial  ;  those  which  are  hard  and  callous 
are  unfavourable, 

68.  Pain  in  the  back  part  of  the  headj  is^ 
relieved  by  opening  the  frontal  vein. 

69.  Rigors  commence  differently  with  men 
and  women  ; — -with  the  latter,  they  begin  at 
the  loins,  and  extend  along  the  vertebrae  to  the 
head  ;  with  the  former,  they  originate  rather 
at  the  posterior  than  the  anterior  part  of  the 
body, — for  instance,  at  the  back  of  the  fore- 
arm and  thigh.  The  cutis  of  men  is  thinnest, 
as  is  evident  from  the  hairs  inserted  in  it.* 

70.  Quartans    are   never    attended   with 

*  We  cannot  perceive  what  connection  tiic  lattcff  part  of  ^is 
iYpborism  has  ^ith  the  former. 

11 


122         HIPP0CRATI$     APHORISMI. 

non  admodiim  corripiuntur ;  si  vero  prius 
Corripiuntur,  et  postea  quartana  supervenerit, 
liberantur. 

71.  Quibus  cutis  obtenditur  arida  ac  dura, 
it  sine  sudore  moriuntur ;  quibus  vero  lax^ 
ac  rara,  ii  cum  sudore  moriuntur. 


72,  Icterici  non  admodum  flatulenti  sunt* 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.       12 


n 


convulsions ;  on  the  contrary,  the  latter 
disappear,  on  the  coming  on  of  the  former. 

71.  When  the  cuticle  appears  tense,  dry 
and  hard, — -death  occurs  without  perspira- 
tion taking  place  ;  but  when,  on  the  contrary, 
it  is  lax  and  thin,  dissolution  is  accompanied 
with  sweat. 

72»  The  icterical  are  never  flatulent» 


12.4  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISM!. 


SECTIO  VI. 


1.  Diuturnus  intestinorum  Isevitatibus 
ructus  acidus  superveniens,  qui  prius  noii 
fuit,  sigiium  bonum. 

2.  Quibus  nares  natura  humidiores,  et 
genitura  humidior,  imperfectius  sani  sunt :; 
quibus  vero  contraria,  perfectiuSo 

3.  In  iongis  dysenteriis  appetitus  prostra- 
tus,  malum  :  et  cum  febre  pejus. 


4.  Uicera  circum-glabraj  maligna. 

5.  Dolores  et  in  lateribus  et  in  pectoribus^ 
et  in  caeteris  (partibus),  si  multum  difFerant* 
considerandum»- 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.         125 


SECTION  VL 


1.  Acid  eructations  supervening,  for  the 
first  time,  in  long  protracted  lientery,  is  a  fa- 
vourable symptom.* 

2.  A  preternatural  humidity  of  the  nos- 
trils and  of  the  seminal  liquor,  is  indicative 
of  imperfect  health ;  but  when  the  contrary 
is  the  case,  the  indication  is  favourable. 

3.  A  total  loss  of  appetite,  in  long  conti- 
nued dysentery,  is  unfavourable ;  but  the 
danger  is  great,  when  it  is  accompanied  by 
fever. 

4.  Ulcers  which  have  a  smooth  circumfe- 
rence, are  of  a  malignant  nature. 

5.  Pains  of  the  side,  breast,  and  of  other 
parts,  often  varying,  demand  attentive  obser* 
vation. 


^  "  For  It  denotes,  (observes  Van  Swieten,  in  his  commentary  tip- 
on  this  Aphorism),  that  the  contractile  force  of  the  stomach  and  in- 
testines is  in  some  measure  returned,  whereby  the  ingested  aliments, 
may  be  retained,  at  least,  so  long  in  the  stomach  a;  to  degenerate fetf 
a.  spontaneous  csrrupthn,^' 


11^ 


1.26  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMX- 

6.  Renum  et  vesicae  dolores  difficulter  sa- 
rantur  in  senibus. 

7.  Dolores  qui  in  ventre  fnint,  elati  qui- 
dem^  leviores  :  non  elati  vero  vehementiores. 


8.  Hydropicis  ulcera  in  corpore  orta  non 
facile  sanantur, 

9.  Efflorescentiae  latae  non  admodum  pru- 
liginosae. 

10.  Caput  laboranti,  et  circum  circa  do^ 
ientij  pusj  aut  aqua,  aut  sanguis  effluens  per 
iiares,  aut  per  os,  aut  per  aures,  solvit  mor- 
bum. 

1  i .  Melancholicis,  et  nephriticis,  haemor- 
rhoides  supervenientes,  bonum. 

12.  Ab  haemorrhoidibus  sanato  diuturnisj 
nisi  una  servata  fuerit,  periculum  est  ne  hy- 
drops super veniat,  aut  tabes. 

13.  A  singultu  detento,  sternutationes  sti- 
l^ervenientes,  solvunt  singultum. 

14.  Ab  hydrope  detento  si  aqua  secun- 
dum venas  in  alvum  fiuxerit^  solutio  fit* 

15.  A  diuturno  alvi  profluvio  detento^, 
sponte  superveniens  vomitus^  alvi  profluvi'^- 

Aim  solvit. 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.        12'?^ 

6.  Pains  of  the  kidneys  and  bladder,  in- 
eld  men,  are  of  difficult  cure. 

7.  When  distention  accompanies  pain  of 
the  belly,  the  latter  is,  by  no  means,  severe  ; 
but  if  there  be  no  distention  present,  the  pain 
is  greater. 

8.  In  dropsical  patients,  ulcers  are  of  dif- 
ficult cure. 

9.  Large  exanthematas  are  never  prurigi- 
nous. 

10.  Pains  of  the  head  and  neighbouring 
parts  are  relieved  by  an  efflux  of  pus,  or  wa= 
ter,  or  blood,  from  the  nostrils,  mouthy  or; 
ears. 

11.  In  melancholia  and  nephritis,  the 
coming  on  of  the  heemorrhoides  is  beneficiaL 

12.  In  long  continued  haemorrhoids,  a  to- 
tal cure  is  frequently  followed  by  dropsy  or 
phthisis. 

13.  Sternutation  removes  hiccough, 

1,4.  In  dropsy,  if  the  water  pass  off  into  the 
intestines,  by  means  of  the  veins,  the  disease 
ceases. 

15.  Long  continued  diarrheea  is  arrested 
h^  spontaneous  vomiting. 


128  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISM!, 

16.  A  pleiiriticle,  aut  a  peripneumonia  de^ 
tento,  alvi  profluvium  superveniens,  malum. 

17.  Ophthalmia  laborantem  alvi  profluvio 
corrissi,  bonum. 

18.  Cui  persecta  est  vesica,  aut  cerebrumj 
aut  cor,  aut  septum  transversum,  aut  ali- 
quod  ex  intestinis  tenuibus,  aut  ventriculus, 
aut  hepar,  lethale. 

19.  Ubi  dissectum  fuerit  os,  aut  cartilage, 
autnervus,  aut  gense  pars  tenuis,  aut  prsepu- 
tiunij  neque  augetur,  neque  coalescit. 


20.  Si  in  ventrem   sanguis  elFusus  fuerit 
prseter  naturam,  necesse  est  suppurari. 

21.  Insanientibus  si  varices,  aut  hsemor- 
rhoides  supervenerint,  insanise  sokitio  lit. 

22.  Qu?e  ruptiones  es    dorso  ad  cubitos 
descendunt,  venae  sectio  solvit.* 

23.  Si  metus  et  tristitia  multo  tempore  per- 
aeverant,  melancholicum  hoc  ipsum. 

*  In  the  text  used  by  Vlllebrune  we  have  5  aKyrifAara^f^idQlarest) 
which  we  have  given  in  the  translation. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.        12§ 

16.  Diarrhoea  supervening  in  pleurisy,  or 
peripneumonia,  is  unfavourable. 

17.  Diarrhoea  supervening  in  ophthalmia^ 
is  beneficial. 

18.  A  lesion  of  the  bladder,  brain,  hearty 
diaphragm,  stomach,  liver,  or  any  of  the 
small  intestines,  proves  fatal. 

19.  When  an  entire  section  takes  place  of 
a  bone,  cartilage,  or  nerve ;  or  of  the  pre- 
puce, or  thin  portion  of  the  cheek,  no  after- 
growth or  adhesion  of  the  parts  can  take 
place. 

20.  If  an  effusion  of  bL')od  take  place  with- 
in the  abdomen,  suppuration  necessarily  fol« 
lows. 

21.  When  varices  or  haemorrhoids  super* 
vene  in  mania,  the  disorder  ceases. 

22.  Sudden  pains,  extending  from  the 
back  to  the  fore-arm,  are  relieved  by  venesec^ 
tion, 

23.  Fear,  attended  with  an  obstinate  de-. 
pression  of  spirits,  indicates  a  disposition  to 
meiaiieholiaa 


130  HIPPOCRATIS   APHORISMI- 

24.  Si  ex  intestinis  tenuibus  aliquod  dis-- 
sectum  fuerit,  non  coalescit. 

25.  Erysipelas  foris  quidem  intro  verti, 
non  bonum,  intiis  vero  foras,  bonum. 

26.  Qiiibus  in  febre  ardente  tremoresfiunt? 
delirium  solvit. 

27.  Qui  suppurati  aut  hydropici  urunturj 
avit  secantur,  hi,  pure,  aut  aqua  acervatim  ef- 
fluente,  omnino  moriuntur. 

28.  Eunuchi  non  laborant  podagia,  neque 
calvi  iiunt. 

29.  Mulier  non  laborat  podagia,  nisi  men*' 
ses  ipsi  defecerint. 

30.  Fuer  non  laborat  podagra  ante  veneris 
iisum. 

31.  Oculorum  dolores  meri  potus,  aut 
balneum,  aut  fomentum,  aut  venae  sectio,  aut 
purgatio  solvit. 

32.  Balbi  ab  alvi  profluvio  maxime  cor- 
ripiuntur  longo. 

33.  Acidum  ructantes  non  admodum  pleu^ 
ritici  fiunt. 

34.  Qui  calvi  sunt,  his  varices  magni  non 
fiunt.  Quibus  vero,  dum  sunt  calvi,  super^ 
veniunt  varices^  hi  rursus  capiiiati  fiunt. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.        131 

24.  A  lesion  of  the  small  intestines  is  ne- 
ver followed  by  a  re- union  of  parts. 

25.  Erysipelas,  when  it  recedes  inward- 
ly, is  injurious  ;  but  its  re-appearance  exter- 
nally is  beneficial. 

26.  Tremors  supervening  in  ardent  fevers^ 
go  oiF  on  the  coming  on  of  delirium. 

27.  In  dropsy  or  empyema,  the  evacuation 
hy  cautery  or  incision,  of  a  great  quantity  of 
water  or  pus,  is  always  followed  by  death. 

28.  Eunuchs  never  suffer  from  podagri- 
cal  affections,  or  become  bald. 

29.  Women  are  exempt  from  podagrical 
affections,  until  the  cessation  of  the  menses, 

30.  Gout  does  not  appear  in  adolescence^ 
previous  to  venery. 

31.  Pains  of  the  eyes  are  relieved  by  pure 
wine,  bathing,  fomentation,  venesection  and 
purging. 

32.  Stammerers  are  much  subject  to  chro» 
uic  diarrhoea. 

33.  Those  who  have  acid  eructations  are 
never  subject  to  pleuritic  affections. 

34.  Those  who  are  bald  are  not  affected 
with  severe  varices  :  but  if  the  latter  become 
considerable,  the  hair  again  makes  its  appear- 
ance. 


132  HIPPOGRATIS  APHORISMI. 

35.  Hydropicis  tussis  superveniens,  ma- 
lum. 

36.  Urinse  difficultatem  v^nse  sectio  sol- 
vit :  secandce  veto  internee.^ 

37.  Ab  angina  detento,  tumorem  fieri  In 
COllo,  bonum  :  foras  enim  vertitur. 

38.  Quibus  occulti  cancri  fiunt,  eos  noix 
curare  melius  est.  Curati  enim  cito  pareunt 
Non  curati  vero  longius  tempus  perdurant, 


39.  Convulsio  fit,  aut  a  repletione,  aut  ab 
^yacuatione.     Sic  quidem  etiam  singultus. 

40.  Quibus  ad  hypochondrium  dolores 
fiunt,  absque  inilammatione,  his  febris  super- 
veniens  solvit  dolorem. 

41.  Quibus  suppuratum  quid  in  corporc 
existens  nullum  sui  signum  proditj  his  prop- 

♦  L  e.  Secare  autcm  eportet  intenoi  vmasj  fetg  itoo,,    Sk  Villebrune.- 
FaesiuB,  et  Htf^rniti^. 


APHORISMS   OF  HIPPOCRATES.        133 

35.  Cough  supervening  in  dropsy  is  unfa- 
vourable. 

36.  Dysury  is  relieved  by  blood-letting — 
but  it  is  the  artery  which  ought  to  be  open- 
ed.* 

37.  A  tumour  arising  on  the  neck  in  angi- 
na is  favourable,  as  it  denotes  a  derivation  of 
the  disease  externally. 

38.  Occult  cancers  should  not  be  molest- 
ed ;    in    attempting   to   discuss    them,   they 
quickly  become  fatal :  when  unmolested,  they 
remain  in  a  scirrhous  state  for  a  length  of 
time. 

39.  Convulsion  may  arise  from  repletion 
or  evacuation  ;  hiccough  may  proceed  from 
the  same  causes. 

40.  Pains  in  the  hypochondrium,  unattend- 
ed with  inflammation,  are  relieved  by  fever. 

41.  When  an  abscess  exists  in  any  part 
of  the  body,  w^ithout  any  signs  of  suppura- 
tion being  present,  the  latter   circumstance 

*  Hippocrates  must,  here,  allude  to  the  operation  of  arteriotomy, 
as  frequently  practiced  by  the  aneients,  who  were  not  aware  of  the 
dangerous  consequences,  for  the  most  part,  resulting  from  it.  Ar» 
tenotomy  is  now  scarcely  ever  performed  in  any  other,  but  the  tem- 
poral artery. 

12 


1S4  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

ter  crassitudinem  puris,  aut  loci,  signum  non 
exhibct. 

42.  In  ictericis  hepar  durum  fieri,  malum. 

43.  Qui  lienosi  a  dysenteria  corripiunturj 
his  longa  superveniente  dysenteria,  hydrops 
supervenit,  aut  intestinorum  Isevitas,  et  pe- 
reunt. 

44.  Quibus  ex  urinse  stillicidio  volvulus 
supervenit,  in  septem  diebus  pereunt,  nisi 
febre  superveniente  urina  abunde  fluxerit. 

45.  Ulcera  qusecumque  annua  fiunt,  aut 
longius  tempus  occupant,  necesse  est  os  abs- 
cedere,  et  cicatrices  cavas  fieri. 

46.  Qui  gibbi  ex  asthmate,  aut  tussi  fiunty 
ante  pubertatemj  pereunt. 

47.  Quibus  vense  sectio,  aut  purgatio  con- 
ducit,  his  vere  convenit  vcnam  secare,  aut 
purgationem  facere. 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.  1S5 

may  arise  from  the  inspissated  state  of  the 
pus,  or  the  thickness  of  the  superincumbent 
part. 

42.  The  induration  of  the  liver,  in  jaun- 
dice, is  unfavourable. 

43.  Long  continued  dysentery,  superve- 
ning in  affections  of  the  spleen,  induces 
either  dropsy  or  lientery,  and  consequent 
death. 

44.  When  volvulus  arises  from  strangury ^ 
the  patient  dies  in  seven  days,  unless  fever 
and  a  copious  flow  of  urine  supervene.^ 

45.  When  ulcers  have  continued  one  year, 
or  longer,  it  becomes  necessary  to  denude 
the  bone  lying  beneath,- — thus  forming,  as  it 
were,  a  depressed  cicatrix. 

46.  Those  who,  before  puberty,  become 
gibbous  from  cough  or  asthma,  generally  pe- 
rish. 

47.  Those  with  whom  venesection  or 
purgatives  agree,  should  have  recourse  to 
them  in  the  spring. 

*  "  An  iliac  passion,  and  that  of  a  fatal  tendency,  has  followed^, 
upon  sympcoms  which  have  indicated  the  disease  in  the  bladder  or 
kidneys.  Galen  seems  to  have  a  doubt  about  this ;  but  I  have  once 
met  with  it,  though  it  must  be  confessed  that  the  case  Is  very  rare 
and  uncommon."    Van  Swieten,  Com.  abridged,    p.  344. 


136  HIPPOCEATIS   APHORISMI. 

48.  Lienosis  dysenteria  superveniens,  bo- 
niini. 

49.  Qui  podagrici  morbi  fiunt,  hi  sedata 
infiammatione,  in  quadraginta  diebus  dece-' 
dunt. 

50.  Quibus  percipum  fuerit  cerebrum , 
his  necesse  est  febrem,  et  bilis  vomitum  su- 
per venire. 

51.  Quibus  sanis  dolores  derepente  fiunt 
in  capite,  et  statim  muti  fiunt,  ae  stertunt,  in 
septeni  diebus  pereunt,  nisi  febris  apprehen- 
derit. 

52.  Considerare  vero  etiam  oportet  oculo- 
rum  subtds  apparentia  in  somnis.  Si  enim  al- 
bi  quid,  palpebris  commissis,  subtus  appa- 
reat,  idque  non  ex  alvi  profluvio  sit,  aut  ex 
potione  purgante,  pravum  signum,  et  valde 
lethale. 


53,  Deliria,  cum  risu  quidem  accidentia, 
securiora  :  cum  studio  vero,  periculosiora. 

54,  Inacutis  affectionibus  qu2e  cum  febre 
sunt,  luctuosse  respirationes  malse. 

55,  Podagrici  morbi,  vere  et  autumno  mo- 
ventur  ut  plurimiim. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.       137 

48.  Dysentery  supervening  in  affections  of 
the  spleen,  is  beneficial. 

49.  Those  attacked  with  the  gout,  are 
entirely  freed  of  it  in  forty  days  after  the  sub- 
sidence of  the  inflammation. 

50.  A  lesion  of  the  brain  is  necessarily 
followed  by  fever  and  bilious  vomiting. 

51.  If  sudden  pains  of  the  head  come  on 
during  perfect  health,  attended  with  imme- 
diate aphonia  and  stertor,  the  patient  dies  in 
seven  days,  unless  fever  supervene. 

52.  It  is  particularly  n  cessary,  in  disease, 
to  observe  the  appearance  of  the  eyes  during 
sleep ;  if  the  eyelids  be  imperfectly  closed, 
so  that  some  of  the  white  is  observable  (the 
patient  not  being,  then,  under  the  operation 
of  purgatives,  or  existing  diarrhoea)  the  symp- 
tom is  very  unfavourable,  and  frequently 
fatal. 

53.  Delirium,  accompanied  with  laughter, 
is  less  dangerous,  than  that  accompanied  with 
a  severe  expression  of  countenance. 

54.  In  acute  diseases,  attended  with  fe- 
ver, painful  respiration  is  unfavourable, 

55.  Podagrical  affections  come  on,  for  the 
most  part,  in  spring  and  autumn. 

12» 


138         HIPPOCRATiS     APHORISM!. 

56»  Morbis  melancholicis  ad  haec  perieulo- 
si  sunt  humorum  decubitus,  aut  corporis  sid- 
erationem,  aut  convulsionem,  aut  insanianij 
aut  csecitatem  significant. 

57.  Apoplectici  autem  liunt  maxime, 
aetate  ab  anno  quadragesimo  usque  ad  sexa- 
gesimum. 

58.  Si  omentum  exciderit,  necesse  est 
putrefieri. 

59.  Quibus  a  diuturno  coxendicis  morbo 
vexatis  coxa  excidit,  et  rursiis  incidit,  his 
mucus  innascitur. 

60.  Quibus  a  diuturno  coxendicis  morbo 
vexatis  coxa  excidit,  his  crus  tabescit,  ct 
claudicant,  nisi  usti  fuerint, 


APHOaiSMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.         139 

56.  In  melaiicholick*  affections,  the  trans- 
lation of  the  humours  to  various  parts,  has 
a  tendency  to  produce  the  following  diseases : 
apoplexy,  mania,  convulsion,  and  blindness, 

57.  Apoplexy  is  most  prevalent  from  the 
fortieth  to  the  sixtieth  year. 

58.  In  omental  hernia,  the  part  protruded^ 
necessarily  mortifies. 

59.  In  long  continued  sciatica,  where  the 
motion  of  the  joint  of  the  thigh  has  been  in- 
terrupted, if  the  mucus  be  again  secreted, 
the  articulation  is  restored. 

60.  In  long  continued  sciatica,  where  the 
head  of  the  femur  has  been  displaced,  the 
parts  below  become  emaciated,  and  lameness 
ensues,  vmless  the  actual  cautery  be  used. 

*  The  word   melanchoUch  is  used  here,  as  referring  to  a  eause^  and 
as  its  etymological  sense  imports,  is  synonymous  with  atrabilious. 


J40  HIPPOCRATIS  APHOBISMI. 


SECTIO  VII.      I 


1.  In  morbis  acutis,  extremarum  partium 
frigus,  malum. 

2.  Ex  osse  segrotante  caro  livida,  malum. 

3.  A  vomitu  singultusj  et  occuli  rubri^ 
malum. 

4.  A  sudore  horror,  non  bomim. 

5.  Ab  insania  dysenteria,  aut  hydrops,  aut 
extasis,  bonum.* 

6.  In  morbo  diuturno,  appetitus  prostra- 
tus,  et  meracsB  dejectiones,  malum. 

7.  A  multo  potu  rigor,  et  delirium,  ma- 
lum. 

8.  A  tumoris  intus  ruptione,   exsolutio, 
yomitus,  et  animi  deliquium  fit. 

*  Ratio  hujus  patet  in  Aph.  56.  Sect.  vi.    Yiilebrafie. 


APHORISMS   OF   HIPPOCRATES.        141 


SECTION  VII. 


1.  In  acute  diseases,  coldness  of  the  ex- 
tremities is  unfavourable, 

2.  Lividity  of  the  flesh,  arising  from  an 
unhealthy  bone,  is  unfavourable. 

3.  Hiccough,  and  redness  of  eyes,  arising 
from  vomiting,  are  unfavourable. 

4.  A  sensation  of  horror,  succeeding  per- 
spiration, is  unfavourable. 

5.  Dysentery,  dropsy,  or  exstasis,  fol- 
lowing insania,  are  beneficial.* 

6.  Long  illness,  attended  with  a  prostration 
of  appetite  and  unassimilated  dejections,  is 
dangerous. 

7.  Rigors  and  deliriums,  proceeding  froni 
excess  of  drink,  are  dangerous. 

8.  The  rupture  of  an  internal  tumour  is 
followed  by  lassitude,  vomiting,  and  deliqumm 
anmi, 

*SeeAph,56,SecVl. 


142  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

9.  A  sanguis   fluxu   delirium,  aut  etiam 
convulsio,  malum. 

10.  Ab  ileo  vomitus,  aut  singultus,  aut 
convulsio,  aut  delirium,  malum. 

11.  A  pleuritide  peripneumonia,  malum. 

12.  A  peripneumonia  phrenitis,  malum. 

13.  Ab  ardoribus  vehementibus  convul- 
sio, aut  tetanus,  malum. 

14.  A  plaga  in  caput,  stupor  aut  delirium, 
malum. 

15.  A  sanguinis  sputo,  puris  sputum, 
malum. 

16.  A  puris  sputo,  tabes,  et  fluxus,  ma- 
lum. Postquam  vero  sputum  retinetur,  mo- 
riuntur. 

17.  Ab  hepatis  inflammatione  singultus, 
malum. 

18.  A  vigilia  convulsio,  aut  delirium,  ma- 
um. 

19.  Ab  ossis  dedunatione  erysipelas  (ma- 
um.) 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.         143 

9.  When  delirium,  or  convulsions,  pro- 
ceed from  haemorrhage,  it  is  dangerous. 

10.  Vomiting,  singultus,  convulsion,  or 
delirium,  arising  from  iliac  passion,  is  dan- 
gerous. 

11.  Peripneumonia,  arising  from  pleurisy, 
— dangerous. 

12.  Phrenitis,  arising  from  peripneumonia, 
— dangerous. ' 

13.  Convulsion,  or  tetanus,  proceeding 
from  excessive  heat, — dangerous. 

14.  When  a  blow  on  the  head  causes  stu- 
por or  delirium,  the  symptoms  are  unfavour- 
able. 

15.  A  spitting  of  blood,  followed  by  a 
purulent  expectoration,  is  unfavourable. 

16.  Tabes  and  colliquative  diarrhoea,  aris- 
ing from  purulent  expectoration,  are  unfa- 
vourable ;  if  the  expectoration  {suddenly) 
stops,  the  patient  dies. 

17-  Singultus,  proceeding  from  hepatitis, 
— dangerous. 

18.  Convulsion,  or  delirium,  arising  from 
vigilancy,  is  dangerous. 

19.  Erysipelas,  caused  by  a  denudation  of 
bonc^ — dangerous. 


144  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

20.  Ab  erysipelate  putredo,  aut  suppuratio 
(malum.) 

21.  A  forti  pulsii  in  ulceribus,  sanguinis 
cruptio. 

22.  A  dolore  diuturno  partium  circa  ven- 
trem,  suppuratio  (malum.) 

23.  A  meraca  dejectione  dysenteria. 

24.  Ab  osse  "perscisso  delirium,  si  in  va- 
cuum penetravit. 

25.  A  purgantis  potione,  convulsio,  le- 
thale. 

26.  A  dolore  vehementi  partium  circa  ven- 
trem,  extremarum  frigus,  malum. 

27.  Mulieri  in  utero  gerenti,  tenesmus  su- 
perveniens,  abortire  facit. 

28.  Quodcumque  os,  aut  cartilago,  aut 
nervus  in  corpore  dissectus  fuerit,  neque 
augetur,  neque  coalescit. 

29.  Si  a  leucophlegmatia  detente  vehe- 
mens  diarrhoea  superveniat,  morbum  solvit. 

30.  Quibus  spumosse  egestiones  in  alvi 
profluviis,  his  de  capite  pituita  defiuit. 

31.  Quibus  febricitantibus,  in  urinis  subsi- 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.       147 

20.  Sphacelus,  or  suppuration,  arising  from 
erysipelas, — dangerous. 

21.  In  ulcers,  a  strong  pulsation  of  the 
part,  foreshows  haemorrhage.^ 

22.  Suppuration  surpervening  in  long  con- 
tinued pain  of  the  abdomen,  is  unfavourable, 

23.  A  dejection  of  unconcocted  matter  is 
followed  by  dysentery. 

24.  Wounds,  which  extend  into  the  hol- 
low of  the  bone,  are  followed  by  delirium. 

25.  Convulsion  arising  from  purgatives,, 
proves  fatal. 

26.  Coldness  of  the  extremities,  proceed- 
ing from  severe  pains  about  the  abdomen,  is 
dangerous. 

27.  Tenesmus,  during  pregnancy,  produces 
abortion. 

28.  The  lesion  of  a  bone,  cartilage  or 
nerve,  is  never  followed  by  a  growth,  or  re- 
union of  parts. 

29.  If  a  severe  diarrhoea  supervene  in  leu- 
cophlegmasia,  the  latter  affection  ceases. 

30.  Diarrhoea,  attended  with  an  evacuation 
of  spumous  matter,  foreshows  a  defluxion  of 
the  head. 

3  1.  In  fevers,  a  subsidence  in  the  urine  of 


from  existing  aneurism. 

13 


148  HIPPOCRATIS    APHORISMI. 

dentise  fiunt  crassiori  farinae  similes,  longam 
infirmitatem  significant. 

32.  Quibus  autem  biliosae  subsidentise, 
ab  initio  vero  tenues,  acutum  morbum  signi- 
ficat. 

33,  Quibus  autem  urinse  divulsse  fiunt,  iis 
vehemens  est  in  corpore  turbatio. 


34.  Quibus  vero  in  urinis  bullae  superstant, 
renum  afFectiones  significant,  et  longam  fore 
invaletudinem. 

35.  Quibus  autem  pingue  est  et  confertum 
quod  supernatat,  his  affectiones  nephriticas, 
et  acutas  significat. 

36.  Quibus  vero,  nephriticis  existentibus, 
praedicta  signa  accidunt,  et  dolores  circa  mus- 
culos  spinales  fiant,  si  quidemadloca  exteri- 
ora  fuint,  abscessum  exspecta  futurum  ex- 
trorsum  ;  si  vero  dolores  fiunt  magis  ad  in- 
terna loca,  etiam  abscessum  magis  introrsum 
fore  expecta. 

37.  Qui  sanguinem  vomunt,  si  quidem 
sine  febre,  salutare  :  si  vero  cum  febre,  ma- 
lum. Curandum  autem  refrigerantibus,  et 
astringentibus. 


APHORISMS   OF  HIPPOCRATES.         149 

a  thick  farinaceous   substance,  indicates   a 
long  continuance  of  the  disease. 

32.  A  limpid  urine,  having  a  bilious  de- 
posit, is  indicative  of  an  acute  affection. 

33.  When  the  urine  has  a  troubled,  cloud- 
ed appearance,  it  denotes  great  commotion  in 
the  system. 

34.  The  presence  of  bubbles  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  urine,  indicates  an  affection  of  the 
kidneys,  and  extended  illness. 

35.  But  if  the  supernatant  substance  be  of 
a  thick,  oily  consistence,  it  shows  a  nephri- 
tic, and,  also,  an  acute  affection. 

36.  In  nephritic  affections,  accompanied 
with  the  above  symptoms,  together  with 
pains  about  the  muscles  of  the  spine — if 
the  pains  be  external,  'we  are  to  expect  the 
appearance  of  an  external  abscess ;  but  if 
they  be  situated  internally,  the  abscess  will 
determine  itself  inwardly. 

37.  Vomiting  of  blood,  without  existing 
fever,  is  not  dangerous  ;  but  if  fever  be  pre- 
sent, it  is  injurious  :  the  cure  consists  in  rc^ 
frigerants  and  astringents. 


150  HIPPOGRATIS  APHORISMI. 

38.  Distillationes  in  ventrem  supernum, 
in  viginti  diebus  suppurantur. 

S9,  Si  quis  sanguinem  ct  grumos  mingat^ 
et  stranguriam  habeat,  et  dolor  incidat  ad 
perineum,  et  imum  ventrem,  et  pectinem, 
partes  circa  vesicam  laborare  significat. 

40.  Si  lingua  ex  improviso  impoten's  fiat, 
aut  aliqua  corporis  pars  siderata,  melancho- 
liciim  hoc  ipsum  fit. 

41.  Si  senioribus  nimiiim  purgatis,  singul- 
tus superveniat,  non  bonum. 

42.  Si  febris,  quae  non  est  a  bile,  detine» 
at,  aqua  multa  et  calida  in  caput  affusa,  fe- 
bris  solutio  fit, 

43.  Mulier  ambidextra  non  fit. 

44.  Qui  suppurati  uruntur,  aut  secantur, 
si  quidem  purum  effluat  pus  et  album,  eva- 
dunt :  si  vero  subcruentum,  et  Gcenosum,  ac 
graveolens,  pereunt, 

45.  Qui  ad  hepar  suppuratum  uruntur,  aut 
secantur,  si  quidem  purum  efiluat  pus  et  al- 
bum^  superstites  evadunt:  ipsis  enim  pus 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.       151 

38.  An  extravasation  in  the  cavity  of  tlie 
thorax,  is  followed  within  twenty  days  by 
suppuration. 

39.  See  Aphor.  80.  Sect.  iv. 


40.  A  sudden  paralysis  of  the  organs  of 
speech,  or  of  any  part  of  the  body,  is  fre- 
c[uently  the  eifect  of  a  melancholick  affection.* 

41.  Singultus  arising  in  old  men  from  hy- 
percatharsis,  is  an  unfavourable  symptom. 

42.  Fevers,  not  proceeding  from  bile,  ?vre 
cured  by  an  affusion  of  warm  water  on  the 
head. 

43.  Women  are  never  ambidextrous. 

44.  In  opening  an  abscess,  either  by  inci- 
jsion  or  actual  cautery,  if  the  matter  issue 
pure  and  white,  the  patient  recovers  ;  but  if 
it  be  of  a  bloody,  foetid  and  offensive  nature, 
the  disease  proves  fatal. 

45.  In  opening  an   abscess  of  the   liver 
either  by  incision  or  actual  cautery,  if  the 
matter  issue  pure  and  white,  the  patient  reco- 
•vers :  for  we  are  to  recollect  that  the  pus  is 
enclosed  in  a  sac  ;  but,  if  the  matter  which 

*  5ec  Aphor.  56.  Sa^t.  vK 

13^ 


152;  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

est  111  tunica  :  si  vero  effluat  velut  amurca, 
pereunt. 

46.  In  doloribus  oculorum,  postquam  me- 
rum  bibendum  dederisj  et  multa  calida  la- 
veris,  venam  secto. 

47.  Hydropicum  si  tussis  habeat,  despe- 
ratus  est. 

48.  Urinae  stillicidium,  et  urinse  difficult 
tatem  vini  potus,  et  venae  sectio  solvit ;  se- 
candae  vero  ihternse  (venae.) 

49.  Ab  angina  detento  tumor  et  rubor  in 
pectore  super veniens,  bonum :  foras  enim 
vertitur  morbus, 

50.  Quibus  cerebrum  sphacelo  fuerit  af- 
fectum, in  tribus  diebus  pereunt ;  si  vero 
hos  effugerint,  sani  fuint, 

51.  Sternutatio  fit  ex  capite,  percalefacto 
cerebro,  aut  perhumectato,  quod  est  in  ca- 
pite, vacuo,  Aer  enim  qui  intus  est  supra 
modum  foras  effunditur.  Strepit  autem, 
quia  per  augustum  ipsi  est  transitus. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.        ISS 

flows  out,  resemble  inspissated  oil,  the  patient 
dies. 

46.  In  pains  of  the  eyes,  after  having  pre- 
scribed the  use  of  good  wine,  and  of  frequent 
warm  collyria,  we  are  to  bleed. 

47.  When  cough  takes  place  in  dropsy 
the  case  is  desperate. 

48.  Dysury  and  strangury  are  relieved  by 
wine  and  venesection ;  but  we  are  to  open  an 
internal  vein. 

49.  In  angina,  the  appearance  of  redness 
and  tumour  on  the  breast  is  favourable  ;  thev 
denote  an  external  derivation  of  the  disease. 

50.  Sphacelation  of  the  brain  proves  fatal 
within  three  days ; — if  the  patient  escape  this 
period,  the  disorder  ceases. 

51.  Sternutation  proceeds  either  from  ca- 
lefaction  or  humidity  of  the  brain ;  for  the 
superfluous  air  within  the  cavity  of  the  head 
is  thereby  eflfused ;  and  the  noise  it  makes 
in  issuing,  arises  from  the  narrowness  of  the 
passage.^ 

*  while  we  smile,  here,  we  should  recollect  that  there  are  manv 
physiological  /hypotheses  which  are  equally  rational  with  this  fanei- 
jfiil  «upposition  of  the  Coan  Sage.  This  Aphorism  is  conformable 
to  the  peculiar  doctrine  of  the  ancients,  who  made  the  head  a  mere  re 
seyueir^  as  it  were,  of  all  the  humours,  distributed  to  various  parta  of 
^th?  body. 


1B4!         HIPPOCRATIS     APHORISMI. 

52.  Quibus  hepar  circumcirca  dolet^  his 
fbbris  superveniens,  dolorem  solvit. 

53.  Quibus  sanguinem  de  venis  auferre 
conducit,  his  vere  venam  secare  oportet. 

54.  Quibus  inter  septum  transversum  et 
ventrem  pituita  cxcluditur,  et  dolorem  exhi- 
bet,  in  neutrum  ventrem  habens  transitum, 
Ills  per  venas  in  vesicam  pituita  versa,  mor- 
bi^solutio  fit.  -  * 

55.  Quibus  hepar  aqua  repletum  ad  omen- 
tum emperit,  his  venter  aqua  impletur,  et 
moriuntur. 

^^,  Anxietatem,  oseitationem,  horrorem., 
vlnum  par  pari  aqua  potum  solvit, 

57.  Quibus  in  urinaria  fistula  tuberculum 
fit,  his  suppurato  eo  et  perrupto,  soivitur  dolor. 

58.  Quibus  cerebrum  concussum  fuerit 
ab  aliqua  causa,  necesse  est  eos  statim  mutos 
fieri. 

59.  Corporibus  humidas  cames  habenti- 
bus,  famem  inducere  oportet:  fames  enim 
siceat  corpora. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.  155 

52,  Pain,  about  the  region  of  the  liver, 
ceases  on  the  supervening  of  fever. 

55,  When  bleeding  is  beneficial,  it  should 
be  performed  in  the  spring. 

54.  When  a  serous  collection,  attended 
with  pain,  takes  place  between  the  diaphragm, 
and  abdomen,  without  its  having  an  issue  in 
either  cavity, — if  the  fluid  be  drawn  out  of 
the  body  by  means  of  the  veins,  the  disorder 
ceases. 

55.  In  dropsy  of  the  liver,  if  the  water 
discharge  itself  through  the  omentum,  into 
the  abdomen,  the  disease  proves  fatal. 

56.  Anxiety,  oscitation  and  horrors,  are 
relieved  by  potations  of  wine  and  water,  in 
equal  quantities. 

57.  See  Aphor.  82.  Sect.  iv. 

58.  A  concussion  of  the  brain,  from  what- 
soever  cause,  is  followed  by  an  immediate 
deprivation  of  speech. 

59.  When  too  much  moisture  abounds  in 
the  body,  we  ought  to  have  recourse  to  ab- 
stinence, which  has  a  tendency  to  dry  up  the 
humours.* 

•  Abstinence  (by  which  we  understand  a  spare  diet,)  was  employ-» 
rd  as  one  of  the  most  potent  means  in  the  curative  system  of  the  an- 


156  HIPPOCRAnS  APHORISMI. 

60.  Ubi  in  toto  corpore  mutationes,  et 
corpus  perfrigeratur,  et  rursus  calefit,  aut 
color  alius  ex  alio  permutatur,  longitudinem 
morbi  significat. 

61.  Sudor  multus,  calidus,  aut  frigidus, 
semper  fluens,  humidi  redundantiam  adesse 
significat.  Educere  igitur  oportet,  robusto 
quidem,  superne :  debili  vero,  inferne. 


62.  Febres  non  intermittens,  si  per  terti- 
urn  diem  vehementiores  fiant,  periculosse. 
Quocumque  autem  modo  intermittant,  signi- 
ficat periculi  esse  expertes. 

63.  Quibus  febres  longae  sunt,  his  aut  tu- 
bercula,  aut  ad  articulos  dolores  fiunt. 

64.  Quibus  tubercula  diutina,  aut  ad  arti- 
culos dolores  ex  febribus  fiunt,  hi  cibis  utnn-. 
tur  copiosioribus. 

65.  Si  quis  febricitante  cibum  det,  conva- 
lescenti  quidem,  robur  ;  a^grotanti  vero,  mor- 
bus  fit. 


APHOEISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.        157 

60.  See  Aphor.  40,  Sect.  iv. 


61.  Excessive  perspiration,  cold  or  hot,, 
continually  going  on,  is  indicative  of  a  redun- 
dant moisture  within  :  we  ought,  therefore, 
to  evacuate  it  from  the  system,  either  by  vo- 
miting, if  the  patient  be  strong,  or  by  purga- 
tion, if  he  be  weak. 

62»  See  Aphor,  43.  Sect.  iv. 


63*  See  Aphor.  44.  Sect.  iv. 
64.  See  Aphor.  45.  Sect.  iv. 


65,  That  nourishment  which  is  beneficial 
in  the  convalescent  stage  of  fever,  would  be 
highly  injurious  during  the  prevalence  of 
the  disease. 

cients.  In  modern  practice,  Sydenham  rigidly  prescribed  it  in  Syno 
cha,  and  with  the  greatest  success.  Dr.  Cheyne  ascribes  most  of  the 
diseases  of  his  day  to  the  non-observance  of  it ;  and  Dr.  E.  Miller,  ©f 
Nev/-York,  in  his  Original  Observations,  observes  "  that  the  ap- 
proach of  a  febrile  attack  is  often  prevented  by  a  timely  recourse  te 
abstinence." 


158  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

66.  Per  vesicam  prodeuntia  inspicere 
oportet,  an  sint  qualia  sanis  prodeunt.  QucC 
igitur  minime  his  similia,  eo  morbosiora ;  sa- 
nis vero  similia,  minime  morbosa. 


67.  Et  quibus  egestiones,  si  stare  permis- 
eris,  et  non  moveris,  subsident  veluti  ramen.- 
ta ;  et  si  pauca  fuerint,  parvus  fit  morbus  : 
si  vero  muita,  magnus ;  his  confert  alvum  in- 
ferne  purgari.  Si  autem  non  purgata  alvo 
sorbitiones  dederis,  quanto  plures  dederis,  eo 
magis  Isedes. 


68.  Quae  cruda  deorsum  secedunt,  ab  atra 
sunt  bile :  si  plura,  major;  si  pauciora,  mi- 
nor est  morbus. 

69.  Exscreationes,  in  febribus  non  inter- 
mittentibus,  lividae,  et  cruentae,  et  biliossej 
et  graveolentes,  omnes  malae  sunt.  At  rite 
secedentes,  bonae.      Sic   etiam  per  alvum. 


APHORISMS  OF   HIPPOCRATES.         159 

66.  We  should  attend  to  the  urinary  dis- 
charge, in  order  to  ascertain,  whether  it  be 
conformable  to  what  takes  place  in  health : 
in  proportion  as  it  departs  from  the  healthy 
state,  is  the  severity  of  the  disease,  and  vice 
versa, 

67.  If,  on  suffering  the  urine  to  remain^ 
without  disturbing  it,  we  observe  a  deposit 
resembling  saw-dust,  the  greater  or  less  quan- 
tity of  this  deposit  is  indicative  of  the  seve- 
rity or  mildness  of  the  disease ;  in  either 
case,  it  is  necessary  to  have  recourse  to pu?'- 
gatives ;  in  proportion  as  we  neglect  these,  for 
a  nutritive  regimen,  will  be  the  augmentation 
of  the  disease. 

68.  Crude  dejections  proceed  from  an 
atrabilious  matter  in  the  system,  and  in  pro- 
portion as  a  greater  or  less  quantity  is  pre=- 
sent,  will  be  the  severity  of  the  disease. 

69.  In  continued  fever,  the  expectoration 
of  a  livid,  bloody,  bilious  or  fcetid  mat- 
ter, isalike  unfavourable;  but,  if  the  expec- 
toration be  good,  and  in  due  season,  it  is  fa- 
vourable :  the  same  <may  be  said  of  the  alvine 
and  urinary  discharges :  furthermore,  any 
excrementitious  matter  remaining  in  the  sys- 

14 


160  HIPPOCRATIS    APHORISMI. 

et  vesicam,  et  ubicunque  quid  secedens  res- 
titerit  non  purgatum,  malum. 

70.  Corpora  oportet,  ubi  quis  purgare 
vult,  facile  fluentia  reddere.  Et  si  quidem 
velit  efficere  facile  fluentia  sursiim,  alvum 
sistere  :  si  vero  deorsiim,  humectare. 


71.  Somnus,  vigilia,  utraque  modum  ex- 
cedentia,  morbus. 

72.  In  non  inter mittentibus  febribus,  si 
externa  quidem  sint  frigida,  interna  vero 
urantur,  et  sitim  habeant,  lethale. 

73.  In  febre  non  intermittente,  si  labium, 
aut  nasus,  aut  oculus,  aut  supercilium  dis- 
torqueatur,  si  non  videat,  si  non  audiat,  jam 
debilis  existens  ;  quicquid  horum  fit,  lethale. 

74}.  Leucophlegmasise  hydrops  supervenit. 

75.  Ab  alvi  profluvio  dysenteria. 

76.  A  dysenteria  intestinorum  lasvitas  (su^ 
pervenit). 

77.  A  sphacelo  abscessus  ossis. 

78.  A  sanguinis  vomitu  tabes,  et  puris 
^urgatio  sursum. 


APHORISMS   OF   HIPPOCRATES.         161 

tern,  and  not  coming  away  with  the  evacua- 
tions, proves  injurious. 

70.  When  the  system  requires  purging,  it 
is  necessary  previously  to  prepare  the  body, 
by  a  laxative  regimen.  On  the  contrary,  if 
w^e  intend  to  vomit,  the  body  is  to  be  forti- 
jied;  but  purging  requires  a  preparatory 
emollient  course.* 

71.  See  Aphor,  3.  Sect.  ii. 

72.  See  Aphor.  48.  Sect.  iv. 


73.  See  Aphor.  49.  Sect.  iv. 


74.  In  leucophlegmasia,  dropsy  supervenes. 

75.  Diarrhoea  induces  dysentery. 

76.  Dysentery  is  often  followed  by   lien- 
tery. 

77.  Sphacelus  produces  exfoliation  of  the 
bone. 

78.  Vomiting  of  blood  is  followed  by  tabes 
and  purulent  expectoration. 

»  This  is  conformable  to  the  French  practice,  and  is  expressed  by 
;he  term  rafrakh'tr. 


162  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

79.  Qualia  etiam  in  his  quag  per  vesicam, 
et  in  his  qu^  per  alvum  iiunt  egestionibusj 
et  in  his  quae  per  carnes,  et  sicubi  alia  natu- 
rae via  corpus  exeat :  si  parum,  parvus  mor- 
bus fit :  si  multum,  magnus :  si  admodum 
uiultunij  hoc  ipsum  lethale. 


SECTIO  VIII. 

1.  Qui  supra  quadraginta  annos  phreneti- 
ci  iiunt,  non  admodum  sanantur.  Minas 
enim  periclitantur,  quorum  nature,  et  astati, 
morbus  similis  fuerit. 

2.  Quibus  m  infirmitatibus  occuli  ex  pro- 
posito  lacrymantur,  bonum.  Quibus  verp 
sine  causa,  malum. 

3.  Quibus,  in  febribus  quartanis  existent!- 
bus,  sanguis  ex  naribus  fiuxerit,  malum. 

4.  Sudores  in  diebus  criticis  oborientes, 
vehementes  et  veloces,  periculosi :  et  qui  ex- 
pelluntur  ex  fronte,  velut  guttse,  et  aqu^  §a- 


APHORISMS  OP  HIPPOCRATES.  165 

79.  It  is  essential  to  attend  to  the  urinary, 
alvine  and  cutaneous  excretions,  in  order  to 
ascertain  whether  it  be  by  these  or  any  other 
outlet  of  nature,  that  the  body  gradually 
wastes  itself:  if  the  emaciation  be  small,  so 
is  the  disease  ;  if  much,  the  disease  is  more 
alarming ;  but  if  extremely  great,  the  disease 
proves  fatal. 


-*««•  ® -El 

SECTION  VIII. 

1.  Phrenitis,  occurring  after  the  fortieth 
year,  is  incurable.  The  danger  is  less,  in  pro- 
portion as  the  disease  accords  with  the  con- 
stitution and  age  of  the  patient. 

2.  With  those  labouring  under  disease- 
tears,  either  as  they  flow  voluntarily  or  invo- 
luntarily, give  a  favourable  or  unfavourable 
indication. 

3.  In  those  suffering  under  quartan  fever, 
— haemorrhage  from  the  nose  is  an  unfavour- 
able symptom. 

4.  Sudden  and  violent  sweats  which  break 
forth  on  critical  days,  are  dangerous ;  as  also 
those  which  come  out  on  the  forehead  in 

14^ 


164  HIPPOCRATIS  APKORISMI. 

lientes,  et  frigidi  valde,  ac  multi:  necessc 
enim  est  talem  sudorem  prodire  cum  violen- 
tia,  et  laboris  excessu,  et  expressione  diutur- 

5.  Ex  morbo  diiiturno  alvi  defluxus,  ma^ 
liim. 

6.  Qii88  medicamenta  non  sanant,  ea  fer-. 
rum  sanat.  Quae  ferrum  non  sanat,  ea  ig- 
nis sanat.  Quae  vero  ignis  non  sanat,  ea  in- 
sanabilia  existini?ire  oportet. 

7.  Tabes  maxinie  fiunt  ab  anno  octavo  de- 
cimoj  usque  ad  quintum  ettricesimum. 

8.  Quse  secundum  naturam  ad  tabem  dis- 
posita  sunt,  onmia  quidem  vehement] a ;  quse- 
dam  vero  etiam  lethalia.  Secundum  autem, 
si  quidem  in  eo  tempore  aggrotet,  cum  tem- 
pus  ipsum  una  cum  morbo  impugnat,  velut 
cum  febre  ardente  sestas,  cum  hydrope  hy- 
ems.  Natura  enim  longe  superior  est :  lieni 
vero  plus  afFert  timoris. 


APHORISMS  or  HIPPOCRATES.       165 

large  salient  drops  ;  likewise  those  which  are 
cold  and  abundant, — for  such  excretions  are 
the  effect  of  long,  repeated,  and  violent,  inter, 
nal  action. 

5.  Diarrhoea,  supervening  in  long  continu- 
ed illness,  is  dangerous. 

6.  That  which  medicine  does  not  eifect, 
the  knife  frequently  effects ;  and  what  the 
knife  does  not  effect,  actual  cautery  often  ef- 
fects ; — but  when  all  these  fail,  the  disease  is 
incurable. 

7.  «The  greatest  predisposition  to  phthisis 
exists  from  the  eighteenth  to  the  thirty-fifth 
year. 

8.  Where  a  predisposition  to  phthisis  ex- 
ists, the  symptoms  are  greatly  aggravated, 
and  generally  end  fatally  ;  the  danger  becomes 
greater  when  the  disease  continues  beyond 
its  proper  period.  The  season  of  the  year 
has  a  considerable  influence  oyer  the  disease, 
in  the  s?ane  manner  as  summer  tends  to  ag- 
gravate ardent  fever,  and  v»'inter,  the  symp^ 
toms  of  dropsy  :  natural  agents  having  gener- 
ally most  influence.*  If  the  spleen  supervene, 
the  disease  becomes  more  alarming. 

^"^  The  dogmatic  sect,  among  whom  may  be  numbered  the  illiis- 
trious  CcLsus,  founded  much  of  their  euraiive  sysfem  on  the  amplifica» 
tiOn  of  this  position. 


166         HlPPOCRATiS     APHORISMI. 

9.  Lingua  nigra  atque  cruenta,  si  quid  ho- 
rum  signorum  abest,  non  valde  malum  :  mor- 
bum  enim  minorem  declarat. 

10.  Haec  igitur  in  febribus  acutis  notare 
oportet,  quando  quis  moriturus  sit,  et  quando 
evasurus. 

11.  Testis  dexter  frigidus  et  convulsus, 
lethale. 

12.  Ungues  nigri  et  digiti  manuum  et  pe- 
dum frigidi,  contracti,  vel  remissi,  mortem  in 
propinquo  esse  ostendunt. 

13.  Labia  livida,  aut  etiam  resoluta,  et  in- 
yersa,  et  frigida,  lethalia. 

14.  Aures  frigidse,  pellucida?,  contractae, 
lethales  sunt. 

15.  Et  tenebricosa  vertigine  laborans,  et 
lucem  aversans,  et  somno  ac  ardere  multo  de- 
tent us,  desperatus. 

16.  Et  quiinrabiem  actus  fuerit  intrepide, 
et  non  agnoscit,  et  neque  audit,  neque  intei- 
ligit,  jam  moribundus  est. 


APHORISMS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.        167 

9.  If  the  tongue  be  neither  black  nor  fio^ 
rid,  the  indications  are  by  no  means  unfa- 
vourable ;  for  the  absence  of  these  symptoms 
shows  the  mildness  of  the  disease. 

10.  The  following  are  what  we  should 
pmiicularly  notice  in  acute  fevers^  in  order  to 
infer  either  a  favourable  or  unfavourable  re- 
sult : 

11.  When  the  right  testicle  is  cold  and 
spasmodically  affected,  the  disease  proves  fa- 
tal. 

12.  Blackness  of  the  nails,  coldness,  con- 
traction, or  relaxation  of  the  fingers  and  toes, 
— foreshow  the  near  approach  of  death. 

13.  Lividity,  coldness,  paralysis,  or  inver^ 
sion  of  the  lips, — fatal.* 

14.  The  ears,  cold,  contracted  and  trans- 
parent,— fatal. 

1 5.  The  patient  falling  into  vertigo,  attend^ 
ed  with  an  obscurity  of  vision,  an  aversion 
to  light,  and  comatose  sleep, — fatal. 

16.  Delirium,  attended  with  transports  of 
rage,  in  which  the  patient  has  neither  a  sense 
of  hearing  nor  seeing ;  nor  a  consciousness? 
of  what  takes  place  about  him — are  symp». 
toms  of  approaching  dissolution. 

« 

•  Vide  CoacK  PrseBotioncs,  Cap.  v.Aph.j. 


168  HIPPOCRATIS  APHORISMI. 

17.  Morituris  signa  hsec  magis  liunt  ma- 
nifesta,  et  ventres  attolimtur,  atque  inflantur. 

18.  Terminus  vero  mortis  est,  si  animse 
calor  supra  umbilicum  ad  locum  septo  trans- 
verso  superiorem  ascendent,  et  omne  humi- 
dum  fuerit  combustum.  Postquam  pulmo 
et  corhumorem  amiserint,  calore  in  mortife- 
ris  locis  coacervato,  caloris  spiritus  confer- 
tim  exhalat,  unde  totum  in  toto  constitit. 
Rursiis  partim  quidem  per  carnes,  partim 
vero  per  spiracula  in  capite,  unde  vivere  di- 
cimusj  relinquens  anima  corporis  tabernacu- 
lum,  et  frigidum,  et  mortate  simulacrum,  una 
cum  bile,  et  sanguine,  et  pituita,  et  carne, 
deditione  tradit. 


FINIS, 


APHORISMS  OP  HIPPOGRATES.       169 

17.  To  these  premonitory  symptoms  of 
death,  succeed  an  elevation  and  turgescence 
of  the  abdomen. 

18.  The  closing  scene  at  length  arrives, 
when  the  heat  of  the  soul,  placed  near  the 
umbilicus,  ascends  above  the  diaphragm,  and 
the  humours  of  the  body  are  entirely  dissi« 
pated.  It  is  then,  that  the  lungs  and  pulse 
lose  their  humidity — that  the  heat  locally  con- 
centrates itself  previous  to  its  final  extinction^ 
and  that  the  spirit  of  heat,  of  which  all  things 
consist,  leaves  its  tenement  forever.  Lastly, 
the  soul,  partly  by  the  pores  of  the  skin,  part- 
ly by  the  orifices  of  the  head,  which  have 
served  the  various  purposes  of  life,  leaves  its 
earthly  tabernacle  and  abandons  the  cold  and 
inanimate  image  of  man- — now  wholly  made 
lip  of  bile,  of  blood,  of  serum,  and  of  flesh. 


FINIS. 


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